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Letters From Oregon Boys 
in France 



FIRST EDITION 
1917-1918 



ILLUSTRATIONS 
BY 
GEORGE PHILLIPS 

Press of 

Glass & Prudhomme Company 

Portland, Oregon 



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}} 



Lovingly Dedicated 

to the 

Mothers, Wives and Sisters 

of 

Oregon's Brave Soldiers 











Let there he no misunderstanding. 

Our present and immediate task is to win the war and 
nothing shall turn us aside from it until it is accomplished. 
Every power and resource we possess, whether of men or 
money or of materials, is being devoted and will continue to 
he devoted to that purpose until it is achieved. 

WOODROW WILSON. 



Decemher 4, 1917. 




JAMES WITHYCOMBE 
Governor of Oregon 



State of Oregon^ Executive Department, Salem 



December 18, 1917. 

My dear Madam: 

Anything which tends to the honor and credit of our 
soldier boys is entitled to the full support of every loyal 
American, and I am therefore glad to give my endorsement 
to your booklet entitled, "Letters From Oregon Boys in 
France." This book will certainly prove of great value and 
interest in after years as it will be the means of preserving 
an organized record of the experiences of the Oregon boys 
who are upholding the honor of their country in a foreign 
land. I sincerely trust that your booklet will meet with a 
ready sale and that the Red Cross will profit through your 
patriotic effort. 

Very truly yours. 




C^-T'-^'-l/Mil* 



Governor. 



In compiling these letters from Portland boys now in France, 
who were among the first to volunteer their services for their 
country, a double purpose has been in view. 

First, to enlarge, through the sale of these booklets, the 
American Red Cross fund, of which our boys so often speak in 
terms of deepest gratitude, and secondly, to give a clearer vision 
to the ''home folks" of the chivalrous work our American boys 
are doing in France. If it may prove a source of pleasure to 
them to know that through their letters they are also rendering 
financial aid to the Great Cause, this booklet has fulfilled its 
purpose. 

To the friends and relatives who have made this booklet pos- 
sible, I, personally, extend my thanks. 

M. E. W. 
Dec. 24, 1917. 



USA 



Letters From Oregon Boys in France 



Excerpts from a letter from Captain Kenneth D. Hauser, 
Co. F, 18th Railway Engineers, to his father, E. V. 
Hauser, Multnomah Hotel. 

France, November, 1917. 

Today we received 28 sacks of mail for Co. F, marked 
Captain Kenneth D. Hauser. It filled the whole regimental 
postoffice and was the envy of the camp. I decided to issue 
it to the boys, as they needed it; so we got busy and doled 
it out to them. Our orderly room is in one of the huts, and 
the line filed in; we had it all systematized. First, I had 
them checked over and totaled on paper; then we divided 
it into the number of men and officers, share and share 
alike. They made a sample test of what each man's share 
was. One man took charge of each article and we would 
call a man's name and the article. The man would hold 
a box and the things were thrown into it from all corners 
of the room. The line lasted three hours and it was better 
than a vaudeville show. It was so rich I went up to head- 
quarters and invited all the officers down to see it, and 
they all came. 



10 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 



Afterward I got one of the boys from Port Angeles, 
Larry Mason, with his tenor and guitar, and John Shaver, 
with his ukelele, and our wonderful quartette, Jimmy 
Clock, Killaly Green of Aberdeen, Cecil McNutt of Port 
Angeles, and Dustin of Coos Bay, and we all sang the old 
songs and cheered the auxiliary. 

I declared no taps, and it is after 12 midnight now and 
we have just quit. The officers all stayed to the finish 
and said my boys were wonderful — so close together and 
just like one big family and so talented and jolly. 

Tell the auxiliary what a wonderful feeling of grati- 
tude there is toward them. The football suits from Port- 
land all arrived. 

Note — Following are a few of the articles contained 
in the 28 mail sacks mentioned above: 



300 lbs. Assorted Tobacco 
300 lbs. Assorted Candy 
24 Football Suits 
20 Boxes Chewing Gum 
20 Boxes Chocolate 



360 Corncob Pipes 

500 Candles 

400 Bars Soap 

100 Sweaters 

45 Doz. Pair All Wool Socks 




Letters From Oregon Boys In France 1 1 

Letters from Captain A. E. McKennett, \8th Regiment, 
Engineer Railway, to his mother, Mrs. R. L. McKen- 
nett, 185 Fifteenth street, Portland, Ore., and his son, 
Robert. 

Somewhere in France, November 5, 1917. 
My Dear Mother: 

Your letter in answer to my first in France received. 
It had been some little time since we had received a big 
mail and we were very glad to get them. I received the 
first Oregonian that I had seen since I left the States. I 
am still in good health and spirits and hope to continue 
the same. The weather is about the same as at home, 
so we experienced no difference that way. I received 
a very nice letter from Mr. Lyons recently signed by nearly 
all the officers and office help. We are getting quite used 
to France and French customs. They don't seem as odd 
as they did at first, but the other day when I saw an old 
lady walking along the road, wearing wooden shoes, carry- 
ing a large basketful of vegetables on her head and knitting 
away on some garment, I had to stop and admire her 
dexterity. I am getting along fine in French and talk con- 
siderably. Tell Catherine I could read a French letter if 
she wrote me one now. Tell Minnie hello for me and 
tell Mrs. Way I would like some of her beans to eat with 
our war bread, and oh how I wish I could have a good 
drink of Bull Run water! 

We keep busy. The war is not going as well as I should 
like to see it and it may take us longer to finish it than we 
figured on. We have a good-size man's job cut out for 
us and I hope to be in it to the finish and I will be ready 
to come home when victory is ours, but not before. Lieu- 
tenant Saul left the regiment tonight. He has been trans- 
ferred to another location on special work and has a very 



12 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

desirable post. We are very sorry to see him go. I have 
now been on French soil for over two months and feel quite 
at home. I can talk pretty well. Things are running along 
quite smoothly and we are getting down to serious work. 
Regards to Arthur and Catherine, Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, 
the Galligans, Minnie and her mother. Much love to you 
and son. Lovingly, EARL. 



My Dear Boy: 

Your letters have been received with a greal deal of 
pleasure and the reports I have received have been a 
gratification to me. I am finding out what a man you 
are, by my being away; however, I did not doubt at all 
but what you would stand the test. Today is one of the 
first nice days I have seen for some time. It does not 
know how to rain in Portland. 

I am today in the city of , and as I sit here in 

the office with my window open I can hear at least a 
dozen big church bells ringing. It is 2:30 P. M. (6:30 
A. M. with you), and I presume some service is being 
held. 

These French cities have the grandest cathedrals one 
can imagine. Some of them are centuries old; one I have 
visited was begun some time in the 10th century. I would 
like to send you some pictures, but it is not permitted. 
When the weather is nice here it is delightful. There are 
some chateaus and many of great historic interest. I pre- 
sume you see a great deal of warlike sights now at home, 
but one can only see the bright side there. We are not 
far from a certain hospital — an old grand chateau and 
grounds for soldiers who have lost limbs. It is always 
full and one cannot walk far on the street without seeing 
the terrible results of this dreadful conflict. Poor France 
has suffered and the best of her men have gone. I tell 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 13 

you, son, I cannot tell the evidence of havoc that this war 
has produced. I have seen four girls, children under 12, 
with their hands cut off at the wrists by Germans, so it is 
claimed, because they were found working in munition 
factories in places captured in Northern France in their 
early drives. The Huns, or, as they are called "Bosches," 
certainly have a lot to answer for, if half of the stories 
are true. 

Well, how are you getting along in Spanish? I have 
been drilling in French and practice it on every victim 
I can find and am making good progress. I have forgotten 
a lot of my Spanish, or, rather, I have crowded it out of 
my mind with French. My French commandant and his 
wife, of whom I told you about and who spoke Spanish, 
have refused to talk Spanish to me any more, and I have 
to get along in French. It is good for me. I find the way 
to learn the language is to talk it. 

Well, son, I am glad you are getting along so well in 
school and having a good time also. It is getting near 
Christmas and it will be quite a task for Uncle Sam to 
handle all the boxes coming to France. 

Do you still attend the Junior Guards? You will soon 
be an officer if you keep it up. I hope the U. S. troops 
come fast, for by the looks of things in Russia and Italy 
we will need all we can get and as quickly. 

Now, son, write me whenever you can, and if there 
is anything you want to know, ask me and I will tell you 
if the censor will allow it. Regards to all my friends and 
lots of love to you and grandma. DAD. 



14 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

In a letter written by Lieutenant Ben L. Norden, United 
States Navy, former Coroner of Multnomah County, 
lifts the censorship he has directed on the battleship 
on which he is serving his country, and tells in a man- 
ner highly enlightening of the visits to various South 
American ports his boat has made. Incidentally, Lieu- 
tenant Norden in this message, sent to Assistant Sur- 
geon Eurides K. Scott, United States Navy, pays to 
the boys from American homes now wearing the navy 
blue a tribute which members of those homes will 
read with welling pride and gratification. The more 
interesting passages of the letter follow: 

Today we were detached from the squadron and or- 
dered to an Atlantic port, undoubtedly to begin a work 
more serious than a diplomatic errand. We were under 
way this evening and the executive officer has just an- 
nounced in the wardroom that our destination is a certain 
port in the good old U. S. A. Can you imagine the joy 
and enthusiasm now running riot throughout the ship? 
It is nearly seven months since we left the States. 

I have acted as censor on this ship at different times 
and have religiously observed the censorship, but now 
that we are to join and be absorbed by the Atlantic fleet 
I feel no compunction in writing of our cruise. 

We visited Bahia, Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo and 
Buenos Aires, going to each several times, except Buenos 
Aires, where we made but one call, remaining but a 
week. To say that we were well received is to put it too 
mildly. Our hosts entertained us lavishly and enthusiast- 
ically. Our treatment of Cuba helped much to gain the 
confidence of South Americans, and, later, when we per- 
sistently refused to go into Mexico, the "bogy" of our 
intended future dominion over the Western Hemisphere 
disappeared like chaff before the wind. I feel certain that 
after the war the immense volume of trade between South 
America and Europe, which has existed ever since the 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 15 

Portuguese, Spanish and Dutch colonization of the south- 
ern continent, will in large measure be diverted to the 
United States. 

We of North America little realize how well advanced 
the southern republics are in all things — government, edu- 
cation, commerce, in fact everything but railroad building. 
They excel us in the splendor of their architecture, park 
development and city beautifying, but are not very far 
along in the manufactures. Their educational systems are, 
in some instances, superior to ours. I must confess that 
nowhere in the medical centers of the United States have 
I seen an institution in any way superior to the University 
of the Medical Sciences at Montevideo, and their medical 
men are well equipped, able and intensely up to date. 

In point of population, Buenos Aires is the leading city 
we visited. It is wonderfully beautiful and very progres- 
sive. Rio de Janeiro is the next largest, and although the 
Portuguese type of architecture is vastly different from 
our conceptions, still I count Rio a magnificent city. Mon- 
tevideo, in some way or other, made us feel more as 
though we were in a North American city, and we liked 
it immensely. Bahia is the smallest of the four, and, in 
development at least, brings to one's mind Quebec or New 
Orleans because of the fact that the old city and the new 
city are distinct in location, architecture and customs. 

Everywhere we visited, in Brazil, Uruguay and Argen- 
tina, the good citizens vied with each other in doing all 
they could to welcome us. Receptions, banquets, balls, 
operas, theaters, races, boxing matches, motor parties, teas 
and dinner parties without end! We officers were detailed 
to attend the different functions, and to say that we were 
continually "on the go" is not the slightest exaggeration. 
In fact, many times we have put to sea for the continuance 
of the patrol with glad hearts because we felt that even 
the monotonous grind of patrolling, with all its incon- 
veniences, would give us some rest. 



16 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

And right here I want to say a word about the en- 
listed men. Those American boys who have come from 
the farms, the shops, the colleges and the homes of our 
people, to don the blue jackets in the service of Uncle 
Sam! I feel they have done a lion's share of the work 
in helping to command the respect of these people for our 
nation. Their conduct ashore has been exemplary, par- 
ticularly in the abstinence from or temperate use of liquor 
and their uniformly courteous and chivalrous conduct to- 
ward women. Everywhere we had most gratifying reports 
of their deportment, and when 1000 or 2000 men went 
ashore on liberty the augmented police reserves, anticipat- 
ing the usual results of Jack at play, found they had noth- 
ing to do but bow and smile to the friendly salutations of 
a multitude of manly boys. 

And they fraternized with the people in a charming 
way. Here is one instance: I was walking down the 
Avenida Central in Rio one afternoon in "cits" when I 
came upon a bluejacket sitting at a table out on the side- 
walk in front of a cafe. He had four or five little chil- 
dren at the table as his guests and they were all ferociously 
attacking generous portions of ice cream and each had 
a package of candy. Quite a number of people were 
standing around them and seemed much pleased and 
amused at the little gathering. He was a boy from my 
own ship and when he recognized me and saluted I asked, 
"Having a party, lad?" He smiled and replied, "Yes, 
sir, helping to cement relations, sir." That was the spirit 
that seemed to imbue them all and the South Americans 
have come to know our seamen as clean, manly fellows. 
We have had a very happy ship and, except for the separa- 
tion from our families and friends, are quite content. The 
long time between mails, a month or six weeks, is not 
pleasant, but can't be helped. 

Give the boys in the Rotary Club my heartiest good 
wishes and tell Sig Sichel he doesn't need to fear any 
real competition from the smoke shops of South America. 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 



17 



Their tobacco would choke a goat! Tell Charley Bradley 
the styles in cravats and socks down here make the rain- 
bow look like a bunch of crepe. Well, it's bedtime, so guess 
I'll call it a day and wrap the drapery of my couch about 
me. Remember me as your sincere friend. 

BEN L. NORDEN. 



_MA — ^L 



18 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

Mrs. W. L. Wood received the following letter from her 
son, Lieutenant Lambert A. Wood, Machine Gun 
Company, 9th United States Infantry: 

France, November 4, 1917. 

Dearest Mother: 

Still no mail, but I have hopes that some will come 
soon. I have just read a splendid article by George Pattullo 
in the Saturday Evening Post, called "Come Through 
With the Punch." That man is over here and knows the 
job we have. There is one saying in there that should be 
copied in every home in the country. It is this: "This 
war is not going to be won by Y. M. C. A. workers, or relief 
societies, or Red Cross workers, but by big, two-fisted 
fighting men, six feet tall and wearing size 10 shoes, who 
can fight and work for 18 hours, eat a huge meal, go to bed 
and get up and do it all over again." 

That is the truest thing that I have heard yet, and 
the longer you are over in the thick of things here the 
more you will know it is true. 

One picks up a paper and reads :Podunk Relief Society 
shows great patriotism by giving a chicken dinner, etc. 
It is all right, of course, but they are side issues and tend 
to give the men over here the idea that people at home 
don't realize the job ahead. You people see what I mean; 
it is letting the tail wag the dog. Ambulance corps are all 
right, too ; but don't you see we have to get an army before 
we can go to side issues. Why, even a wagon load of 
beer going forward has the right of way over a string of 
ambulances going back. Two of my classmates here are 
Y. M. C. A. workers, but can't you see that any man in 
the uniform of the line of the army is more of a comrade 
than they are. 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 19 

The relief of soldiers is secondary to getting them fit 
for fighting. They have comfortable quarters and fixed 
hours and are safe, yet their letters are probably full of 
their privations. The trouble is people don't get to the 
bottom of things. In my estimation a man of good physique 
who goes into any other hard work than the line of the 
army, unless he is especially fitted for the job, is a slacker. 

Our country can have more ambulances, more relief 
societies and more Red Cross workers than all the other 
nations in the world, yet we will have come no nearer 
beating the Hun. It is the men with rifles on their shoul- 
ders and packs on their backs who alone can beat the 
Bosche. For women who are working on these things 
there can be only the highest praise, but for sound, healthy 
men only censure. Don't be misled by the hair-raising 
experiences and frightful hardships that the ambulance 
drivers tell or write about. Just tell them quietly that 
my "Dough boy" (infantryman) who has been in an attack 
has had experiences that would put theirs to shame, and 
as to the hardships of driving a warm car on a cold night, 
just remind them that when that was going on there were 
men standing thigh deep in icy water, others crawling 
on their bellies through the mud and slime and filth of 
No Man's Land. Just remember that it is the man with 
the bayonet who can win this war. All the other activities 
help, of course, inasmuch as they help the man with the 
bayonet; but let our people get to the bottom of things, 
put your weight behind the man with his bayonet and 
bomb; he is going to win this war and is going to go 
through hell to do it. 

The only good Bosche is a dead Bosche, and it is the 
fighting men alone who kill! We are fighting a nation 
that has no mercy and, by heaven, let's kill. 

I am sorry, mother, dear, that I have bored you with 
this tirade, but I have seen things that make me feel that 
I should do all in my power to let you people know what 



20 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 



I consider the fundamentals. Our country's motto should 
be: "The nation is the servant of their fighting men." 

Well, mother, dear, I am very well and happy and 
working hard. It is no child's play. But my work would 
be pleasant which had as its object to beat and kill the 
Bosche. The weather is still cold but it is not as cold as 
it was. 

Well, dearest folks, I must stop now. Love to all you 
dear ones. Your loving son, LAMBERT. 




Letters From Oregon Boys In France 21 

Mrs. David Loring, 812 Marshall street, received the follow- 
ing interesting letter from her son, David Loring, Jr., 
Second Lieutenant Headquarters Company, 23d In- 
fantry: 

I brought my last letter to a close the day before we 
sighted land, since it was announced we were to hand 
them in for censorship. After arriving here it was re- 
turned to me to seal up. I had only time to add the remark 
that we had landed, and send it off; therefore, I shall 
start this where the other left off. 

I was sitting reading in the smoking room early in the 
evening, when I noticed a decided list to the starboard side, 
and, wondering what it was, went out on deck. It was 
due to the congregation of everyone on that side of the 
ship, all watching a blinking light shining through the fog. 
It was the first lighthouse on the French coast. The fog 
was heavy, but soon another light appeared, and in an 
hour we were steaming past a long line of shore lights. 
We dropped anchor about 10 P. M. and waited till daylight 
to enter the harbor. 

By daylight we were under way again, and, as the fog 
lifted, the coast line came into view, low rolling dunes 
dotted here and there by neat white houses, scarcely visible 
in the distance. Soon we were surrounded by an aston- 
ishing number of small fishing boats, gay and picturesque 
with red, brown and blue sails. Personally, I doubt if 
there was a fish apiece for them. "Vive 1' Amerique!" 
they shouted, and we returned the compliment with in- 
terest. The boat was all confusion with packing and 
dressing to go ashore, but the tide was low and at 1 1 
o'clock we anchored again to await its rise. At 3 P. M. 
we were off again, and as we neared land the rail was 
crowded, everyone getting their first impression of France. 
A prettier shore I've never seen. Rocky bluffs covered 
with bright vegetation, sandy beaches swarming with chil- 
dren, impossibly neat cottages in toy gardens, every inch 



22 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

cared for to within an inch of its life. As we drew near 
groups could be seen on the bluffs waving French and 
American flags, and the men shouted with delight at every 
new detail, queer two-wheeled carts, striped bathing tents, 
etc. A Ford bouncing along a road brought forth a per- 
fect roar. 

The village was an inspiration. Picturesque houses, 
small winding streets, and an esplanade along the bay. As 
we approached our band struck up the "Marsallaise" and 
was answered by another from the quay. We sailed through 
a narrow canal with streets on each side, the houses as 
close as though we were in a streetcar. An elevated would 
be nearer the point, for our decks were well above the 
street. 

I wish I could adequately describe that scene. It was 
as unreal as a stage setting. A back drop of wonderful 
old houses was decorated with allied flags and the windows 
and picturesque balconies were filled with prosperous 
families who waved and tossed us flowers. Below the 
doors of typical comic opera cafes and shops were over- 
flowing, while the front of the stage swarmed with a 
perfect stage mob, soldiers in various colored uniforms, 
old men, girls and thousands of children, who, in striped 
sweaters and with knees bare, hung over the iron railing. 
I couldn't have believed France could be so French. And 
the welcome they gave us! I'm not easily moved, but 
I shall remember it for years. A perfect roar all along 
the way, and a continuous bombardment of flowers and 
fruit, the latter doing rather more harm than good. We 
returned the fire with coins and packages of cigarettes, 
both of which threatened to turn the scene into a riot. 
No American crowd could have been so spontaneously 
joyful and enthusiastic. A great crowd of young fellov/s 
tried to give an American cheer. "Edp, eep, orray!" 
they shouted, and our men howled. A great many were 
shouting what sounded like "taydee" till we discovered 
they were saying "Teddy." All this rot about calling us 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 23 

Sammies and Jonathans and Yanks appears to have been 
settled by the French, who have christened us "Teddies," 
which is much more acceptable to the men. What a 
scream it will be if, after refusing to let Roosevelt come 
over, his name should be attached to the troops. 

It was dark by the time we reached our dock, and 
the last sight we had of the public square showed it filled 
with a crowd of German prisoners who, under guard, 
solemnly watched us steam by. They are everywhere here, 
working on the roads and in the fields, but we are not 
allowed to talk to them. After we had tied up and dark- 
ness had fallen the other boats came in, bands playing, 
and tied up against us. I climbed across the rail onto the 
next one and ran square into Lambert Wood. We climbed 
from boat to boat all evening, and met innumerable fel- 
lows we knew, a great many whom I didn't even know 
were on the expedition. Lights, of course, were allov/ed, 
and we stayed up late exchanging visits. 

The next morning was spent in debarking, and by 
noon the streets were full of our men. Shortly after mess 
the march began out to the camp. The streets were lined 
with curious citizens, who considerably upset the decorum 
of the march by tossing the men fruit and flowers. By 
night we were comfortably settled in barracks, and as 
far as outward appearances go might as well be in Syra- 
cuse. Within the camp there's little to remind one of 
France. 

Yesterday afternoon we had off and spent the day 
seeing the town. France is all I had expected and more. 
The quaint streets, white villas and thatched cottages are 
a continual source of surprise. My architectural instincts 
have burst out anew and I feel I could fill Portland with 
a hundred entirely new and different houses. They are 
all too good to be true. The cafes more than uphold 
the reputation of France. They are everywhere and no 
one appears to have anything to do but patronize them. 
Every farmhouse is labeled "Buvette" and aspires to be a 
wayside inn. 



24 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

A strange polyglot language has grown up. We ad- 
dress the natives in broken French and they reply in 
broken English. Prices of things are given a combination 
of systems. A thing may cost $2 3 francs, or 6 francs and 
5 cents. American money is accepted and change given 
in francs. Sometimes the opposite is the case. I gave 
a 5-franc bill and received 25 cents American money in 
change. All this causes a terrible amount of mental 
arithmetic. 

The effects of war are not apparent on the surface. 
Everyone smiles and appears in the best of spirits. It is 
only when you talk to them that there appears another 
side. You can't help but admire them all, the spirit they 
are showing and the bravery. There is never a word of 
complaint or criticism. I only wish our country could 
learn to pull together like this. 

I don't know how long we shall be here, but believe 
this stop is only temporary, as to what I can tell you. I 
can give no names of places or anything concerning move- 
ments of troops, numbers or names of organizations. 
There may be times when I can't write, or when my mail 
will be delayed, but never worry when you do not hear, 
for, should anything happen, you would be notified through 
the War Department long before I could send word. How- 
ever, depend upon it, I shall write as often as possible. 
I'm terribly sorry I couldn't send a cable, for it left you 
a long time with no news from me; but the order was 
issued just before we arrived that there would be no 
cabling. 

Now, to begin where I left off. We remained just 
long enough at our last "depot" camp to get fully equipped. 
The work was stiff but interesting, cramped a little for 
want of adequate drill grounds, it being in no sense a 
training camp, merely a station on the way. However, 
we got some good work in, and I was able to get a little 
closer in touch with my platoon. Many who appeared to 
be without promise are showing up surprisingly. An un- 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 25 

pretentious little Italian turned out to have had three 
years' service in the Italian army during the war of 1911 
against the Turks and to have been an instructor in hand 
grenades. Others have come up also. 

After a little good preliminary work, orders were re- 
ceived to move, though no one knew where to. Officers 
were sent ahead to arrange for the billeting of the troops 
and speculation was rife as to our destination. We were 
to leave a battalion at a time, and ours, being the first, 
was to take a 6 A. M. train. This meant getting up a little 
after 2. They use the daylight saving scheme here, so 
that 2 o'clock is really 1, and there's eight hours' difference 
between us. So at 6 P. M., just as you were thinking 
about dinner, I was sleepily pulling on my trousers and 
stumbling out into a very cold morning. It was, of course, 
pitch dark, but by 4 o'clock breakfast of a sort had been 
served, truckloads of baggage had been delivered at the 
station and the company was formed with full packs an- 
swering the rollcall. 

As we marched out of the company street and joined 
the column, bugles were just calling reveille and all over 
camp the buglers were answering each other. The other 
regiments stumbled out and waved us a sleepy good-bye, 
as we swung out on the road to town. It really was a 
wonderful night. As we topped a rise, I glanced back to 
see that all was well, and caught a glimpse of the column, 
all dark but for rows of guns cutting across the sky. A 
red and almost full moon was just sinking behind the 
camp and the first streaks of dawn were lighting the white 
stucco of the village. An hour brought us into town. 
Shopkeepers were just taking down their shutters, lights 
were still burning, but half-dressed figures waved to us 
from every window. One noticeable thing about the reg- 
ular army, they never make any noise. At Plattsburg we 
sang our lungs out, but these men march on silent and 
almost expressionless. It is much more impressive, and 



26 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

in contrast to the chatter of the French, gives an appear- 
ance of businesslike determination. 

We lined up in the station square, were inspected, 
joined by our working details, and a little before 6 crossed 
the freight yards to the train. The toy engines amused 
the men; Fords they called them. They are painted and 
gilded and about as businesslike as, for instance, a Louis 
XIV chair. The men didn't pay much attention to the 
rather poor looking freight cars, open somewhat like a 
cattle car, but I noticed they all bore a sign, "Hommes 
36-40, Chevaux 8," and, sure enough, from 36 to 40 men 
went in every car, and the remarkable part was they 
weren't so bad, after all. The officers had second-class 
coaches, except the colonel, who, of course, had a first- 
class. We were very comfortable and spread ourselves 
at ease. I can't tell how long the trip was, or it might 
give away where we are, but it was five or six times as 
long as we could expect from the distance. We jogged 
comfortably along, stopping to let everything by, and in 
an hour or so for every meal, where cans of steaming 
coffee were served. We passed a number of interesting 
chateaux I should enjoy describing. One I had intended 
visiting that Sunday had we not moved so soon. 

Another thing I had never seen nor imagined before 
were the cliff dwellings through the vineyard district. 
Homes all the way from caves and wine cellars up to great 
inns, all built in the cliff with nothing showing but their 
facades, chimneys sticking out of the vineyards way above. 
I could have spent hours wandering among them. Alto- 
gether, I'm crazy about the country. It is so much prettier 
than I could have expected. 

One afternoon we passed a great aviation field spread 
out over a vast flat area, rows and rows of hangars and 
the air literally full of machines. Another time we saw 
a large prison camp and passed an almost endless row of 
prisoners. They waved at us quite cheerfully, and grinned 
all over. The Germans, they say, are quite content in 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 27 

these camps. They are certainly safe. We often stopped 
beside trains of Poilus returning "en permission" who 
jabbered at us incessantly. 

The last day of the trip we spent a couple of hours in 
a town occupied by an American hospital unit, and the 
train was surrounded by nurses. It certainly was a wel- 
come sight. They grabbed all the officers and took us 
uptown to a cafe, where we had a great meal. They also 
told us the first real news we've had of the American 
forces here, some of which was quite surprising. We 
were told we would reach our destination the next morn- 
ing. We did, but only by the narrowest margin could it 
be called morning. It was only a little after 12 that we 
were awakened and told to get our men out. A heavy fog 
hung over everything and we could make out nothing. 
The companies were lined up, the train unloaded and then 
we were marched a short distance to some temporary 
barracks, and v/e were up again and lining up. I had 
the baggage detail again and set out for the train. The 
fog slowly began to lift and I saw the greatest sight yet. 
Nothing close to could be distinguished, but above the 
fog and floating like a fairy palace appeared the roofs 
of a town. It was built on a great hill, and the crowded 
red-roofed houses, piled one above the other along steep 
winding streets and terraces, the whole surmounted by 
an old Norman tower, looked like nothing so much as 
one of Maxfield Parrish's paintings. 

Slowly the fog cleared at the base and disclosed a long 
straggling street running almost to our feet. It was the 
sort of city I used to dream about. By the time the bag- 
gage was loaded on trucks the second train had arrived 
and the company ready to march off and leave the field 
to them. The mists were now drifting out of the hollows, 
and a sight the opposite to the first appeared. The road 
dipped into a valley, crossed an old stone bridge, and just 
beyond was another and smaller village, nothing showing 
but the ever present red tile roofs and one stone church 



28 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

spire. We marched over the bridge and under a great 
"Welcome" banner, which incongruously reminded one 
of Elks' conventions and old home weeks. 

The town was nothing but a street, a square, and a 
dozen courtyards, but I think it's been here since the 
flood. There is an old stone cross in the square, in- 
tricately carved with letters almost worn away. The 
houses and courts run one into another in a hopeless jum- 
ble, and the walls all slope at a different angle. If I 
don't find material for sketching I shall consider myself 
beyond hope. 

We officers are billeted with families, but for the sake 
of crisis, I'll describe the men's billets first. Some Eng- 
lish book of the war describes a billet as a group of barns 
with a rectangular smell in the middle. I'll grant that 
the source of the smell is in the middle, it being a colossal 
manure pile, placed usually in front of the door, but the 
smell itself is everywhere. However, the quarters have 
been scrupulously cleaned and they are as comfortable 
as any we've had yet. 

As for me, I'm in the height of luxury. No room I've 
ever possessed has quite compared v/ith this. Even the 
Lampoon pales beside it. It is in the house of an old lady 
who must be at least 200, but who bobs about and jabbers 
totally incomprehensible words in the pleasantest possible 
manner. My room is large and high ceilinged with a 
sort of anteroom, the floor of which is stone. The main 
room has a wooden floor, beamed ceiling, a large hooded 
fireplace, which has long ceased to work but which is 
replaced by a stove. A great cupboard occupies the whole 
of one wall. It would bring a fortune in America. There 
is a weather-beaten grandfather's clock that was just what 
I searched Boston for, for the D. U., but the bed is the 
most colossal thing. It is set in a recess in the wall and 
hung with one of those great brocaded canopies and the 
feather mattress is at least ten feet high. Altogether, it's 
the sort of room in which a general might die surrounded 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 29 

by several regiments of cavalry. Lighting arrangements 
are, of course, noticeable by their absence, but otherwise 
it's beyond all expectations. I forgot to mention a French 
window opening at the back on a little enclosed garden 
which is at present full of various, and to me nameless, 
flowers. 

Our two captains are billeted together nearby in rooms 
of equal grandeur, with also a large dining room, where 
the company officers all eat. They have arranged to have 
it cooked by the people, and so far it is excellent. 

As yet nothing of importance has occurred here. We 
have been getting the men settled and inspected, and this 
morning drill was interrupted by a violent shower, which 
so far has not let up. Last evening I climbed to the top 
of the little hill city nearby. It is a town of about 1000 
inhabitants and consists chiefly of one endless street, 
v/hich runs straight up the hill, and upon approaching the 
top starts spiralling and breaks into innumerable alleys 
and terraced courts, leading at last to the Norman church 
on top. Gardens and orchards mingle with the streets, 
and tumble-down stone walls and covered gateways, sepa- 
rate terraced vineyards, while long flights of steps lead 
from place to place. Here and there a lookout place is 
built where you can sit on an old wall and get a view of 
the miles of rolling country below, or a cafe furnishes a 
terrace on the edge of a bluff. 

The country around is like a great golf links. Miles 
of undulating meadow cut by clear white streaks of roads, 
each with its double row of poplars, while every crossroad 
is village, each identical with the one we occupy. 



30 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

Oregon boy of Co. C, 18th Raihvay Engineers, writes to 
his mother, Mrs. M. Prasil, 180 Lane street, of his 
chat with British royalty. 

Yesterday I put in all day going over London. It is 
sure some village, old-fashioned and solid. Everything is 
very dull here; every woman you meet is in mourning. 
The people sure treat us fine. 

I sure have it over the most. Landed in England Fri- 
day and had a personal chat with the king and queen Sat- 
urday. Keep your eye on Pathe's Weekly in the movies 
and you will see me talking to them. Enclosed I send 
you a clipping out of the Sunday Illustrated Herald, show- 
ing me (your tramp) talking to the queen. That is going 
some, don't you think so? 

You see, we v/-ere challenged by the Royal Engineers 
to a tug-of-war at Aldershot at the military tournament, 
reviewed by the royal family. I got a game leg from 
the pull. 

After the games the queen gave us each a silver medal. 
As soon as I think it safe I will send you mine, so I won't 
lose it. I wouldn't take a farm for it. 

There are quite a few wounded American soldiers in 
England already. We don't know how many; in fact, we 
can't find out. There are lots of things we can't write, 
but after I get home you will know it all. 

It seems funny that we are stationed now in barracks 
dedicated by Kaiser Bill in 1910. 



H 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 31 

Morris Dargan, with the 18th Engineers, Railway, American 
Expeditionary Forces, declares Red Cross is doing 
wonderful work for the American boys on foreign soil. 
Excerpts from his interesting letter to his sister fol- 
lows: 

You have asked me whether or not we saw any sub- 
marines. No, we didn't see any, but all through the sub- 
marine zone we wore life preservers at all times. We 
wore them at meals, on the deck, in the hold and in bed. 

We had lifeboat drill a couple of times each day and 
were not allowed to throw anything overboard, lest a "sub" 
would sight it and follow our trail. We were not per- 
mitted to talk loudly or to smoke on deck after night, etc. 
With all these precautions it was natural that we expected 
almost anything. We didn't learn, however, until we 
landed that we had been chased by "subs" on two different 
nights — while we slept — and that only the wisdom of the 
captain of the ship saved us. That came as quite a shock, 
I assure you. 

I wouldn't like to live that part of my experiences over 
again. Though I did not worry at the time, I can realize 
now that it was m.ore perilous than anything which we 
have done since. It was a big chance and we were lucky 
enough to win. We have since heard that the ship on 
which we came over was sunk on her return voyage to New 
York. We are not sure whether this is a rumor or not. 
Do you remember the Carpathia, which saved the people 
on the Titanic? It was her captain who brought us over. 
He surely proved his knowledge of the Atlantic Ocean. I 
guess he needed this knowledge. 

Well, it's all over now and as yet we have not had to 
face anything as trying as the trip, so you can see that 
the danger is not great. Nor will the danger be great 
until next spring. Then will mark the most momentous 
hours of the whole war. I am writing by the light of a 
candle. It isn't good for the eyes, neither are they good 
for the pocketbook. This one cost me 90 centimes, almost 



32 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

a franc, and it will be practically gone before taps. You 
can buy little ones at the Y. M. C. A. for 40 centimes, 
but they don't last long enough for practical purposes. 

They see the soldier coming, and when they do it 
seems to be a signal to raise the price. It's the soldier's 
own fault. He flashes too much money. They know he 
has it and they know he'll spend it, so they get right on 
and "ride." 

You speak of sending me $10 a month to give to some 
poor family that needs it. That's a mighty charitable 
thought, mother, but if I were you I wouldn't do it, for 
several reasons. Now, God knows, I see enough poverty, 
suffering, sickness and destitution over here, but I am 
not in a position to give anyone money, feeling it will 
do them good. 

I am in a position to make many mistakes as to 
the right ones to give it to. Now if you give that money 
to the Red Cross in the States they will get it to the people 
who are really in need of it and they will make it buy 
things those people actually need. Also, you may rest 
assured that it will get here when given to that organiza- 
tion. And, as far as that goes, you can render a thousand 
good deeds to these people by helping the Red Cross in 
every way possible. When they need money you can 
contribute what you like, but, most of all, lend them your 
actual assistance as much as possible. 

Another thing, be careful of waste, especially flour, 
and encourage others to be careful. Use corn meal and 
other grains besides wheat as much as you can, because 
every pound saved is another pound that will be exported 
to France, and the Frenchman must have wheat bread. 
Bread constituted 50 per cent of the diet of the French 
people before the war and they can't be taught to eat any- 
thing in the way of a substitute for it. 

The English can eat corn meal, bran and bean meal, 
but the little Poilui can't fight without wheat bread. Help 
him to get it and you are performing a real service. 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 33 

Mr. and Mrs. James A. Clock, 3418 Fifty-fifth street South- 
east, received the following letter from their son, 
Bugler J. W. Clock, Co. F, 18th Engineers Railway: 

November 7, 1917. 



Dear Father and Mother: 

Have just taken inventory of the many useful things 
you have sent me and you can't imagine how happy and 
grateful I am. As I have said before, American tobacco 
is at a premium. We cannot buy it in France. Have been 
out of handkerchiefs for some time. Both of you are 
specialists at mental telepathy, or you have wonderful 
foresight, as I had run out of everything the box con- 
tained. I think that it was my birthday present, as it 
came just as the right time, and I want to thank you and 
Dad for all of it. The weather here continues warm and 
rainy. A few of the fellows have colds and fever. I was 
bothered a little last week, but am all right now, thanks 
to the little medicine chest. Have had occasion to turn 
to it many times and it has always proved a success. It 
is well worth its trouble and transportation here. Tomor- 
row night our quartette is going to sing at the opening of 
a Y. M. C. A. branch near by. We are getting a pretty 
good start and expect to make quite a few appearances 
here. For a bunch of soldiers we do pretty good. The 
only thing we lack is new music. By the way, last week 
they took Thorny to the base hospital. He had a bad 
case of the grippe. One of the boys returned today from 
there and said he was getting along all right; expects 
to be out in a week. The Co. F football team has won 
the championship of the regiment, winning four games 
and tying one. Captain Houser is very proud of the 
boys. 



34 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 



Of course, there is no company like Co. F. Oh, yes, 
I want to ask if mother knitted those socks? They are 
very heavy and warm and are worth 20 pairs of cotton 
sox; wouldn't trade them for a farm. Well, will have to 
close. Take good care of yourselves and don't worry. 
Will be home next summer. With love. 

WHITCOMB. 



mm 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 35 

In a letter to his mother, Mrs. Margaret Conroy, 671 Gan- 
tenhein avenue, Sergeant Conroy says: 

I am enclosing a letter from a beautiful French girl 
that I met in my travels over here. I am sure you will 
be amused at it. She is trying very hard to be perfect in 
English and makes some funny mistakes. So you see all 
is not hard work and war over here. 

The "pretty little French girl" finds it difficult to mas- 
ter some of the American slang. "I have not in the least 
found what 'kidding' means," she confesses. Her letter 
was as follows: 

"Saumur, September 29, 1917. — Dear Sir, My New 
Friend : You are an amiable correspondent. I am glad of 
your charming letter. I hope the sun will soon be more 
gentle with you than now. Here the days are warm yet. 
I like to read that you love our dear France, because I 
believe it is the finest country of the world. If I knew 
America, I should perhaps find it still more beautiful. It 
is not? 

"What town were you living to Stades United? Speak 
me a little of your home, of your life yonder, will you? 
Have you not too much the black spleen? Between our 
two countrys the sea is so much large! 

"I felicitate you to have quickly learned French! I 
am also working English, and I find Shakespeare's lan- 
guage as difficult as beautiful! Tell me if you understand 
very well my letters. I am perhaps not writing very cor- 
rectly? But I like you language and I try to know it quite 
well! However, I have not in the least found what 'kid- 
ding' means, and I shall be glad that you may explain this 
word! 

"Good luck, my friend. I send you the sweetest 
thought of one little 'Flower of France.' " 

Sergeant Conroy says he has taken a $200 Liberty 
bond, which will be sent to his mother when paid for. 
"Every American soldier in France has one or more," he 



36 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 



says. "I made an allotment of $20 per month to the Fed- 
eral Reserve Bank of New York for nine months and $27 
the 10th month. It is to be delivered to you when it is 
paid for. 

'The major and General Pershing asked that each sol- 
dier subscribe and I think that there has been a 100 per 
cent subscription. Write to me often, as a letter is a god- 
send. The weather here (October 20) is cold, but the sun 
shines most of the time; that is, when it is not raining. 

"I certainly hope you are not worrying about me, as 
I am all o. k. and working hard. I have changed stations 
again. Have been all over France now. I think this is 
my last change though, as this will be a permanent station 
for the pay office. 

"Everything here is expensive. Soap is 4 franc 50, 
or about 75 cents a pound, and everything else in propor- 
tion." 



ra 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 37 

Some intimate word sketches of life at the front are con- 
tained in a letter received recently by Mrs. C. B. Sim- 
mons, of 495 Heights Terrace, from her son, Rouse 
Simmons. 

Nothing much has happened this week except the reg- 
ular routine work. We went on four night trips up to 
within four kilometers (two and a half miles) of the 
trenches, and saw quite a bit of action, but even that is 
growing monotonous now. 

Of course, we are under shell fire for about three hours 
on every one of these trips, but there is really little danger. 

I was sure scared the first time we ran into German 
shrapnel, but we are all so used to it now that we don't 
even notice a bursting shell as long as it doesn't hit too 
close. 

We start out in convoy order about 3 P. M. and get 
in at 3 or 4 A. M. the next day. First we go to the loading 
depot, just outside of the fire zone, where our cars are 
loaded with shells, grenades, or whatever the orders say, 
and then we wait till dark before going on. We run along 
about 50 meters apart, with all lights out and engines shut 
down, until we reach the trench supply depot, at about 
1 1 o'clock, where we are unloaded. There our work is 
over, and we get home and to bed as fast as we can go. 

All this would be simple if it were not for a few diffi- 
culties. In the first place, the cannon are unwieldly and 
hard to handle, and the roads are terrible, even for a tour- 
ing car. Consequently, we simply get the "gizzards" 
shaken out of us on every trip. Also, it is very easy to 
lose the way when running in the dark, and sometimes a 
car will take the wrong road and be lost till daylight. On 
top of all this, the cars are in poor condition and are 
continually getting out of whack and delaying the convoy 
until they can be repaired. My driving-partner and I 
have spent more time working on our car up till now than 
we have in driving it. 



38 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

Everything is, of course, in utter darkness until the 
"barrage" starts. Then a star-shell will suddenly shoot 
up in the air and flood everything with a sort of flickering 
white light for five or 10 seconds. This, then, is followed 
at rapidly decreasing intervals by others, until the stream 
of light is almost continuous. These star-shells are ex- 
actly like the fireworks kind, and would be beautiful if 
one could keep from thinking about their purpose, which 
is to get the range for the batteries, soon to begin their 
work. 

Yesterday we took a load of barbed wire (trench style, 
with about two barbs to the inch) up to a supply depot 
about five kilometers in the rear of the trenches. We 
took the trip in daylight, as the hill country through which 
we passed prevented any accurate Bouche shell-fire. We 
passed two towns on the way that were literally nothing 
but ruins. They were held for two years by the Germans, 
who retreated last March. On our way back from the 
depot we saw a whole drove of German prisoners being 
marched back to the detention camp, and they were a 
sorry-looking lot. Most of them were just boys about 16 
and 17 years of age, and quite a few were wounded. 

It is certainly great to hear that the United States is 
getting ready for the war. 

We are all anxious for magazines and papers of any 
kind, and tobacco. Send as many and as often as you 
can. 

Later — Last night I v/itnessed the best thing I've seen 
since arriving here — a night air raid by German planes 
repulsed by French anti-aircraft guns and war planes. 
About 11 P. M. somebody in camp saw it begin and woke 
the rest of us to watch it. When we got up the whole sky 
to the north of us was lit up by at least 20 giant search- 
lights and hundreds of star shells. It reminded us strongly 
of a fireworks exhibition and the San Francisco Fair com- 
bined into one. The lights were all concentrated on one 
point at times, where we could see aeroplanes wildly 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 39 

looping and circling round and round. The anti-aircraft 
guns were pounding away like mad and shrapnel shells 
would burst all around the machines with loud explosions. 

Gradually the machines got nearer and nearer camp 
and we thought at first we were in for an attack. The 
Frenchmen, as usual, got wildly excited and ran around 
jabbering all sorts of things. However, the German planes 
were soon beaten off and we went back to bed. 

Things like this are happening around here all the 
time but this is the first time I've had a chance to see a 
real fight. It's about time (3:30 P. M.) for the convoy 
to leave, so I'll have to cut this short and write a longer 
letter next time. 

War aeroplanes are continually flying overhead and 
from a hill nearby, we can see the star bombs at night and 
the captive observation balloons in daytime. 

Of course, we can hear the guns booming day and night. 

The most important change of all is that I have changed 
services, as I have given up the ambulance work and am 
now training to drive a "camien," or munition truck. 

We came from Bordeaux to Paris Tuesday night (had 
to sit up all night in over-crowded third-class carriages) 
and when we got to the main ambulance headquarters at 
Rue Rayneuard we found things altogether different from 
what we expected. Everything was great as far as living 
conditions were concerned, but the place v/as simply 
jammed with drivers waiting for a chance to get a car to 
run and many explained that they had already been wait- 
ing a month and that there were so many ahead of us that 
we would have to wait two months or more for a car. We 
then learned that the American Ambulance Corps had 
taken over a different kind of work to relieve the French 
army. 

I cannot tell you why it was necessary for the American 
Ambulance Corps to do this because of an oath I had to 
take before entering the war zone. Briefly, I joined the 



40 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

service with about 90 other Yale men who came over on 
the La Touraine. 

I am now a regularly enlisted soldier in the French 
army and under fully commissioned French officers in 
command, and in the part of the army called the army 
service, or Transport Corps but we are all in an American 
division and, by the way, I found my two cousins, Z. G. 
Simmons and Lucien Lance, from Kenosha, Wis., in the 
same corps. 

The section to which I am attached is a movable one 
and moves up and down the whole French battle front, 
only being used where the increased fighting demands it, 
so I expect to see the whole front before long, but have 
the privilege of quitting at the end of six months if I wish. 

The work of the transports consists, of course, in trans- 
porting munitions from the depots to the big artillery em- 
placements, or the smaller batteries, as the case may be. 

The trucks are monstrous five-tonners but very easily 
handled, as I have found out. We move along the roads 
in convoy or "truck train" fashion, 20 trucks and 40 men 
in each section (two drivers to a car). 

The work is slightly more dangerous than the ambu- 
lance work, as the convoys are under concentrated shell 
fire about one-half the time their work is being done, and 
as we sometimes have to carry tons of lyddite, ammonia 
and dynamite for guns and trench mines, there is not much 
chance if a truck should be hit, but really after all, the 
percentage of chance is much in favor of the drivers, as 
the work is all done at night. 

It is almost pitiful to hear some of the French soldiers 
talk about the "grande armee des Etats Unie," as they 
expect it to take the place of the whole, or a great part of 
the French army, to thus give France a relief. 

Things have come to such a state that in the very front 
French lines men of 50 are serving, side by side, with boys 
younger than myself. 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 41 

An aviator who came out here with us on the troop 
train told us that France had borne the whole brunt of the 
war up till last September, when the English first really 
got into action and that France has already lost 4,000,000 
men. 

You can have no conception of how beautiful this coun- 
try is until you have actually seen it. The country is inde- 
scribable in its perfect green cultivation and as for Paris, 
there can be no other city in the world like it in beauty. 
Riding through France today you would hardly know that 
a war was going on if it were not for a few conspicuous 
things — you see absolutely no men (unless physically un- 
fit) who are not in uniform — the fields are cultivated, 
street cars and subways and a thousand other things done 
entirely by women. 

Another thing that a visitor to Paris will notice is that 
at least four out of every five women on the streets and 
boulevards are dressed in deep mourning. 

But here I go on writing a lot of stuff you could prob- 
ably read in the paper any day, but these things impress 
themselves on my mind so much that I can hardly help 
telling about them. 

Of course, you understand that I am not in action yet, 
but am in a camp training, where I will be for 10 days 
before leaving for the real work. 

When I start in I will tell you more about it as I don't 
know so very much as yet. In the meanwhile, I am really 
enjoying myself immensely. 

We have regular military discipline and the work is 
mighty hard, but I never felt huskier in my life and I am 
having a great time. 

We have regular military drill with guns (each driver 
carries one with him on the truck) and have to wear the 
regular French army "casques" (light steel helmets) and 
always carry gas masks with us, but all this is an added 
precaution which we hope to have no need for. We are 



42 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 



being prepared though (as all the French army always is) 
for any emergencies. 

Our camp is a beautiful little hollow in the woods and 
very comfortable. About ten yards from my bed are some 
old French trenches used against the Germans during the 
French retreat in 1914. 

The food is very good and abundant, regular French 
army rations. 

The only things we miss are candy and tobacco, neither 
one of these things can be had around here, and, by the 
way, no stationery, as you can see. 

No one buys stamps inside the war zone, but just marks 
the letter as I have. I am forced to stop writing now by 
the darkness, as no lights are allowed. 






Letters From Oregon Boys In France 43 

The following letter was received by Mr. C. F. Hartman, 
511 East Twentieth street North, from his son, Cor- 
poral Otto C. Hartman, Co. F, 18th Engineers, Rail- 
way: 

The censor just stopped me to have some chocolate, 
and as candy, etc., are at a premium, I permitted the in- 
terruption, and considered it justifiable. 

The best I can wish anyone who has not volunteered 
is that he be caught in the draft. Thirty days over here 
would convince him that the civilized world was very 
near to destruction, through the insane ambition of his- 
tory's greatest egotist and his gang of murderous cut- 
throats. 

The Allies surely have to thank their stars that Bis- 
marck didn't live to mix his brains in this affair. The 
colossal stupidity of the German higher-ups is beyond com- 
prehension. 

The Prussian hounds didn't even have the intelligence 
to see that they couldn't base their knowledge of human 
nature on the actions of their own well-trained slaves. 
Their boasted kultur is a joke. The Germans to my mind 
are utterly ignorant. The idea of thinking for themselves 
has never entered their foolish heads. I'll bet Old Man 
Satan has been sitting up nights for the last three years 
figuring out a just reward for those who plunged the world 
into this war. 

Everything is coming out right, though, thanks to your 
Uncle Sam. When the boys start on their big hike to 
Berlin next summer they will soon put an end to this 
reign of terror. But before this happens the American 
people want to brace themselves for some frightful losses, 
as it will take lots of men to put this over. 

I am proud that I am an American. They are the 
greatest people on earth, and the rest of the world will 
soon realize it. You know when I get started on this 



44 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

line, I talk in bunches, so if I have rambled a little, just 
remember I didn't come here to see the country. 

Rex and I are both well and happy. We are being 
treated fine, and though we haven't gotten "down to cases" 
yet, hope to soon. 

The rainy weather has set in, and we old Webfooters 
feel perfectly at home. 

This is a great country for contrasts: Tobacco, 60 cents 
a can — for which we pay 10 cents in the United States. 
Can you beat it! 

Freight cars that only hold from five to ten tons; the 
finest docks in the world; and drainage systems, that we 
would have been ashamed of 50 years ago; women that 
carry baskets on their heads, and wear wooden shoes dur- 
ing the week and doll up like an American chicken on 
Sunday. Inconsistency, your home is France. 

You would laugh to hear us all trying to talk French. 
If the French people were not the politest people in the 
world I think they would spend most of their time laugh- 
ing at us. Here is no conception of time. Speed is asso- 
ciated with but one thing, and that is automobile driving. 
The auto drivers never heard of the speed limit. Yours, 

CORPORAL OTTO C. HARTMAN, 

F Co., 18th Engineers, Railway. 



# 




Letters From Oregon Boys In France 45 

Marion Kyle, a Portland boy, who went to France with the 
American Ambulance Service, later transferring to 
the French Aviation Service, writes the accompanying 
letter descriptive of his training for the air service: 

Our aviation training began at Avord, where there is 
a huge camp with some 1000 machines. We trained first 
on a Bleriot monoplane, then on a biplane, on which we 
obtained our brevet, and then I was posted, on the decision 
of the French army, to take Nieuport work and become a 
"pilote de chasse." After thinking the matter over, how- 
ever, I decided to go to the front at first on a bombard- 
ment machine, and, accordingly, asked the commandant of 
the camp to shift me, which he did. I was then put on a 
Schmidt bombing plane, and given two weeks' training 
on that and told I was finished and ready to go to Plessin- 
Belleville to get the training in the machine we go to the 
front in. 

On arriving at Plessin several of us were immediately 
shipped off to a center of aviation about 10 miles back of 
the lines and given 10 days' more training on Paul Schmidt. 
While here I was almost overtaken with disaster. I went 
up with a passenger one foggy day, and before I knew it 
was lost. We had no compass and steered in the direction 
of what we supposed was the camp. After 15 minutes 
1 nosed the machine down until I could see the ground 
to make a reconaissance, and found we were over the Ger- 
man lines, with the trenches about a mile in our rear. I 
plunged back into the fog and came about face in short 
order. We wasted no time in getting back into French 
territory, and finally the fog lifted and we found the 
aerodrome again. 

Am now back at Plessin-Belleville flying the actual 
machine we fly at the front, and am only waiting to be 
assigned to an escadrille to go out. We do night flying 
as well as day flying, and the machine surely is wonder- 
ful. It carries two men, four machine guns and a ton of 



46 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

bombs, and with this load goes 107 miles an hour at a 
height of 15,000 feet. The engine is 300 horsepower, and 
is a Renault-Mercedes. The machine climbs a mile and 
one-third in eight minutes. 

The night flying is somewhat difficult, especially the 
landing. We have a red light on one wing and a green 
light on the other to signal and at the same time show us 
the inclination of the wings. One has to steer by com- 
pass, and on moonlight nights by rivers and canals, which 
gleam far below as silvery ribbons. In the day bombing 
we always go in formation of from 10 to 100, with "chasse 
machines" hovering around as additional protection. One 
cannot hear the shells from the anti-aircraft on account 
of the roar of the motor which almost deafens one. All 
you can see are fluffy bursts of smoke which seem very 
impersonal unless one of them hits you and takes off a 
wing, in which case there comes a drop of 15,000 feet to 
the earth. We have to travel at that height on our expe- 
ditions. Formation flying is very difficult, as one can 
hardly keep his place exactly with so many other ma- 
chines, but if one gets separated he will be picked off by 
a squadron of Boche fighting planes. 

The actual danger in flying is not very great. Avord 
is a school which maintains 800 pilots and out of this 
number there were 40 killed while I was there. Three 
of the 200 American boys were killed in training. One 
of these, Hanford, was a special friend of mine and was 
killed while we were making a trip together. Part of our 
brevet test was to make two 300-mile trips. Hanford 
and I started out about the same time one afternoon to 
make the first leg of the triangle, which was the aero- 
drome at Chateau Roux, not far from Orleans. It took 
us about one hour, passing over a beautiful pastoral coun- 
try and watching the cattle grazing in the rich pastures 
and the peasants in the fields. I was ahead, and had just 
landed when I heard a terrific crash, and, looking up, saw 
that Hanford had collided with a Farman biplane at a 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 



47 



height of 2000 feet. They both fell like stones, and ma- 
chines and pilots were broken to bits. I didn't feel much 
like continuing the trip, but had to and finished alone. 

The boys used to have imaginary motor trouble and 
make forced landings at the beautiful chateaus in which 
the region abounds. Here they would be entertained for 
two days until the mechanic crews from the aerodromes 
could come out to see what was the trouble. Several had 
very funny adventures in this way. The captain of the 
school noticed, however, where all the forced landings 
were occurring, and put a stop to the practice. 

I had some landings like that and remained a couple of 
days with a count and his family, comprising some beau- 
tiful young madamoiselles. Of course an American aviator 
was a novelty to have land at your front door, so we had 
quite a time all around. I played tennis, drank tea, and 
likewise forgot the war for 48 charming hours. 




48 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

Mrs. J. F. Barrett, 266 North Twenty-first street, received 
from her son, Gerald, the following letter: 

France, October 2, 1917. 
Dear Mother: 

Today has been an unusual one for me. First, I went 
to the funeral of the first man of this regiment to die 
on the soil of France and I gained an insight into French 
customs. He was taken sick with pneumonia and on Sun- 
day evening died. I believe Jack knew him on the Coos 
Bay job while he was with the S. P. He was an engineer 
at the Marshfield headquarters. Allan V. Mercer was his 
name. Everyone in the company liked him, so losing 
him makes us feel it. The whole company marched out 
and did him the last bit of respect he will be shown on 
earth, for only the memory of him lives with us now. 
The military funeral is much more inspiring than that of 
civil life. The band came first, the firing squad next, and 
the hearse, guarded by the members of Mercer's squad, 
followed. The officers and men of the company, followed 
by the nurses, ended the line. The sermon was short and 
good, which is far better than the flowery efforts we some- 
times hear. The service was completed by a volley and 
"Taps." The French people show much more respect for 
a funeral than we do at home. As it passes by, all traffic 
stops and men take off their hats and incline their heads. 
They say over here that we are too fast and work too 
hard. The world over here moves slower. Every once 
in a while some incident springs up that shows it. I was 
using a tool and working hard for a few minutes and 
when I looked up a small crowd of Chinese troops was 
standing there gaping and laughing because I was sweat- 
ing. Another time, a French army engineer asked us why 
we worked so hard when the sun was so hot. Every day 
as we return from work we climb a hill to the camp. The 
weather here until November is like August at home, so 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 49 

by the time we reach the top we are wet. The people 
laugh at us for our hill-climbing efforts. "Why should 
we get so uncomfortable and hot when we could keep 
cool?" Nevertheless, things are beginning to move and 
results are beginning to show. During the midday all 
shops close for an hour and a half while the people eat. 
Again at 6 they have a light meal, and between 7 and 8 
have the day's big meal. Today I was asked if the inside 
of my puttees were stuffed or was it the calf muscles. 
The French take a slow, swinging gait, while our army 
takes a fast, short step that is springy. Our legs are nat- 
urally bigger than the French, who, as a rule, have thin 
calves. Our walk was amusing to the people v/hen we 
first landed here. If you want to do a favor to the 18th 
tell a few people to put a one-cent stamp on their Ore- 
gonians and Journals and address them to the 18th Engi- 
neers, Railway, Army P. O. 705 A. E. F. Old Saturday 
Evening Posts, etc., are m.ore than welcome. One thing 
about the army life is that the high cost of shoe leather 
affects us not. We are given good shoes and are not 
supposed to have them half-soled. Before the war is over 
the shoe bill will be a staggering affair. The shoes over 
here are not the dress pattern, but are heavy boots built 
for wear. Tents have been discontinued long ago over 
here and portable huts replace them. My idea of an army 
camp has always been associated with tents, but now it 
is huts with fly-proof kitchens and baths. The system 
nov/ is to have reserves and reliefs, while one brigade is 
in the trenches another is resting at a camp. In a fort- 
night they go in again. The plan of diving in and keep- 
ing the men there until killed off is replaced by the plan 
of reliefs, consequently the disease loss is greatly lessened. 
The opportunity to see the front will be given us later, 
but now we are getting ready for the army that is coming 
next spring. An Australian has been with us for a few 
days, and as he is on leave for ten days or more, he is 
staying here. Troops from across the ocean cannot go 



50 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

home like others. He has been telling us of conditions 
in the trenches and the various battles he has been in. 
The Australians and Canadians and Americans have a 
peculiarity of their own. Instead of holding a position 
for months they become restless and take a few more. 
The newer countries furnish the hardest fighting troops. 
They can't accept a condition as it is, but sail in and raise 
Hades to advance. The way the Canadians and Australians 
handle bayonets is remarkable. More than one regiment 
has suffered losses from its own artillery fire because it 
advanced too fast. The "Princess Pats," a famous Canad- 
ian regiment, has been annihilated because of its own 
unstopable advances. I met a man from this troop not 
long ago. Our Australian friend showed us a few bayonet 
stunts the other day. I used to think I knew something 
about bayonet defense, but if I ever met one of his 
like I hope there is a bullet left in my rifle. The Austral- 
ians go into a fight with the idea of getting three men, 
and they usually do it, too. The Germans have saw-tooth 
bayonets and knives on the butts of rifles, etc., but they 
can't stand up before the clean hand drive of these fel- 
lows. Troops that go into the fight to fight and those 
that are driven in usually have a one-sided argument. 
Americans have much the same pep, and I think when we 
come here in force the German ebb will swing much 
faster. The Germans are tricksters from way back. Some 
will pick up a fine looking helmet and, Fowie! he and 
his nearby comrades will be shattered to pieces. Another 
trick is to sap a small mine so that when you kick a clod 
of dirt or pick up anything you will be blown up. The ten- 
dency of men prone is to pick anything that may be in the 
v/ay. The Germans utilize this to kill us off. Another cute 
trick is to play wounded. In days of yore, it was no more 
than human to give a wounded enemy a drink. Now 
your enemy pistles you while you are uncorking your 
bottle. The Allies do not take so many prisoners. I 
don't blame them and would not do so, either. An enemy 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 



51 



that stoops to inject disease of all kinds into the captured 
women deserve anything they get. 

It is not the individual that I despise, but the leaders 
of the race who will force their subjects to do such deeds 
and force into their minds such base and absolutely false 
ideas of other civilized peoples. 

If these subjects must be sacrificed to put this govern- 
ment out of power they must go. Germany is an expand- 
ing nation and is using scientific savagery to satisfy the 
wild fancies of a brute. People are willing to die for 
self-government, and reading of it in history, perhaps, 
doesn't give us the full meaning of it. When one man 
can make millions die to satisfy his desires, can you blame 
those who go? I think I have raved enough for one 
letter. Yours, lovingly, 

PRIVATE GERALD BARRETT. 




52 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Clark, 900 Northrup street, received 
the following letter from their son, Private A. B. 
Clark, Co. F, 18th Regular Engineers, Railway: 

Somewhere in France. 
Dear Father and Mother: 

I suppose you wondered why I did not cable when I 
landed on this side, but it was because at the time I was 
running low on cash. We spent so much on the boat for 
"extras." Bought from a "canteen" (army word for 
store) which they had on board and we practically lived 
out of it. Then I knew you'd hear of our safe arrival 
from different sources, so I let it go. We were two weeks 
on the water and it got awfully tiresome, owing to our 
"mode of travel," which was a far cry from the way we 
crossed four years ago, but I suppose it was pretty fair for 
a troop ship. 

We stopped a day at three different "rest camps" after 
landing, until we arrived at this place, and between two 
of those places I got a letter from you, handed to me 
while riding in a box car, which certainly looked good to 
"yours truly," with the C. Lbr. C. heading, etc., and, last 
but not least, the check that was in it. That put me on my 
feet again, so I will be sailing from now on. I got it cashed 
in camp yesterday with Captain Mauser's endorsement. 
A representative from a bank in the nearest city came 
out to cash and exchange money. Thanks very, very much 
for it. We have been here at ostensibly our final destina- 
tion three days now, and are just resting. 

It's a beautiful spot and a very safe one, and from a 
little talk that Captain Hauser gave informally last night, 
the prospects ahead of us are very fine, so none of you 
need to worry a m.inute about any of us. I am in the best 
of health, feeling A-1 about everything. I find it easy to 
acclimate myself to conditions and, like a good many of 
the rest, I think it will just be a matter of time and not 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 53 

too great a one either, before we shall see each other 
again. This letter will be disappointing to you, I know, 
because it will lack the many details which you all would 
be interested in hearing about our trip and everything 
about us, but all I can say is that we have very strict 
censorship rules about writing. I hope they won't always 
be so, but at present to overstep them would be to have 
the letters thrown out en route. We may get a week-end 
rate on cablegrams and answers soon, and I will probably 
wire you once in a while. I've had a couple of glimpses 
of General Pershing lately. He is the most military look- 
ing person and has the most commanding personality of 
anyone I have seen around here so far. Very strict and 
particular about things military. There isn't an awful 
lot of that painful "form" around here, though, because 
practically everyone, officers and men, have come direct 
from civil life. We all hope that next year will see the 
end, but it is all a gamble. The recent blow on the 
Italian front has been a very serious one. However, as 
I said before, there is no cause to worry about us here. 
We hardly know there is a war, so far. I don't feel any 
nearer to it than I did at American Lake. I've been hear- 
ing an unusual number of whistles on the this 

morning. I think some troops are arriving. They say 
some national guardsmen are on their way over here. I 
wish you would wrap up a Sunday Oregonian once in a 
while and send it over. We crave news of any kind. 

We have a bunch of German prisoners working about 
camp here and they are the most contented lot I have 
ever seen. They have said that they are treated well and 
prefer this much more than real war. The French people 
that I have seen have been very cordial and, if you will 
forgive the pun — their Cordial is very fine. I have had 
some, but not plenty. Before long I think I will be able 
to jabber a bit with them, and that will make things 
pleasanter. I suppose mother had a nice visit over in 
Spokane. I wish I would get the letter that she wrote 



54 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 



me from there. I am very glad that she went for the 
rest and the change. There is one thing I would like to 
have very much from home. I came away without a 
picture of any sort of any of you. Don't know how it 
happened. I would like a medium-sized folding leather 
case that will hold five pictures. I would like to have them 
separate, if possible. If you will fix it up and send it 
over for a Christmas present, you couldn't do anything 
that would please me more. Tell me all about yourselves 
and prospects. Write all the news of the town and people. 
Please do it often. I want news more than ever in my 
life before. Well, it is most time for mess, so I stop, but 
will write you often and hope that you will do the same. 
Tell me everything and anything from the weather to 
whether the handle it still on the front door. With much 
love to all of you. AL. 




Letters From Oregon Boys In France 55 

Mrs. George A. Noyes received the following from her 
son: 

Somewhere in France, September 7, 1917. 

Dear Little Mother and All: 

I have been looking for a letter ever since I have been 
in France, but our mail has been delayed somewhere. 
However, I did receive a letter en route. 

Europe is surely some country, all that I have seen 
of it. London is a grand old city. I went to church at 
Westminster Abbey. It surely is a beautiful structure — 
very old and good for years to come. It is only one of 
many interesting things. Such funny trains and trained 
streetcars. The houses are all built of brick and all to- 
gether. All the same apartments, with no yards. The 
country also is beautiful; every bit of it utilized. France, 
too, has her share of beauty. The French people, as a 
race, are surely kind. Seems to be nothing too good for 
the soldiers, and they are surely strong for the American 
soldiers. We have a splendid camp here. Brand-new with 
wooden barracks and very comfortable. We are near a 
little French village, where I go each night. We are not 
far from a large city and we can go there every fourth 
day for over night, so you see our treatment is the very 
best, so do not worry. I am far away from the firing line. 
Please do not worry, but try to keep smiling. Austin 
is still at home, or nearby, at least, and you can see him 
once in a while. I haven't the slightest idea how long we 
will be here. However, I shall not miss any time in 
getting home when we are through, for the U. S. will look 
good to Earlscourt. I am not disappointed, for the treat- 
ment received is of the best. I must write to Austin, so 
will close and say good-bye. 

With v/orlds of love to you, I am, ever your son, 

EARLSCOURT. 



56 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

From Private Renfro, Co. F, 18th Regular Engineers, 
Railway, to his mother, Mrs. W. J. Renfro, 41 Jes- 
sup street. 

Somewhere in France, September 5, 1917. 

Dear Folks: 

We are at last in France, very comfortably situated. 
This is a beautiful country. Fruit is very plentiful. The 
French people are very kind to us. It is interesting to 
watch the people in their different work. I went into a 
cafe to buy some bread. They were serving snails. The 
kind that crawl around with shells on their backs. Also 
served frog legs. How would you like to sit down to 
that? Not for me. I bought a loaf of bread for a half- 
franc (10 cents). It was about two and a half feet long, 
six inches wide. It sure was good with jam. 

The Y. M. C. A. has opened up here in one camp. I 
can use pen and ink once more. We have comfortable 
benches and writing tablets; before I have done most of 
my letter writing with my tablet balanced on my knee. 
The Y. is doing great work among the boys here. The other 
day when the truck drove into camp with a load of Y. sup- 
plies a loud cheer was given out. 

Be sure and tell the folks not to forget Christmas. It 
is funny to write that, now, but you v/ill not receive this 
letter until late in October. It will take a long time for 
us to get things from home. Candy, fruit-cake, some of 
your good raisin cookies sure would make me feel a? 
though I were with you all at Christmas time. 

Tomorrow is Sunday. I am going to church in town to 
one of the old cathedrals, part of which was built in the 
year 800. 

September 28th — Another week has passed and this 
Sunday finds me away from headquarters. I have been for 
several days. Have not been able to get my mail. 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 57 

Grapes and peaches are plentiful around here and the 
French drink but one thing, that is a very poor grade of 
wine. The water here is very bad. I manage to get 
along without it. 

October 2nd — At last we have a Chaplain from Seattle, 
Washington. He seems to be a very nice fellow. I had a 
short talk with him after the service. We had a good 
meeting. He made a good talk on the work of the Y. 

It is raining today, but it is getting that time of the year 
when we can expect it. I was in town yesterday with 
James Benoit. We are both in the same company. It 
seems so strange that we should meet after so many years. 
Fifteen years ago we went to school together. We went 
to see the ruins of an old amphitheatre that was built 1800 
years ago. It has been nearly all destroyed. Nothing 
much remaining but the massive arch-gateway and a small 
part of the wall. It is wonderful the way it has stood all 
these hundreds of years. 

October 15th — Our quarters are very comfortable and 
I am very glad as the rainy season has set in. It has 
rained most every day for two weeks. I always try to come 
in town for Sunday to get a good warm bath, also a good 
dinner, which is good once a week. It is a pleasure to 
come to the Y. to read and write and enjoy comforts of 
home life. 

October 27th — A large steamer came in from the States 
a couple of days ago. I was sure I would get mail of some 
kind. From all indications I expect to be home with you 
in September, 1918. Of course it depends on the outcome 
of the war. 

The internal conditions of Germany are very bad, so we 
hear. The German soldiers are deathly sick of war and 
surrender themselves to the Allies at every opportunity. 
Many mere boys. We can only hope and pray that this 
terrible war will soon be over and peace shall reign once 
more among the civilized nations of the world. 



58 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 



I wish you would all write every week. You don't 
know how much happiness it puts into a fellow's life. I 
wish you could be around the camp on a day when the mail 
comes in. The happiest bunch in the world, all except the 
boy who didn't hear from home. 

It makes a fellow want to be alone. He wonders why he 
did not hear from home. 

Dear Little June: So she understands where I am and 
does she think I am building a bridge. I had a letter from 
Guy, he said they were busy handling troop trains going 
to American Lake. I am afraid that people have not awak- 
ened to the fact that they are at war. I think they will by 
the first of the year begin to realize it. I am looking for- 
ward to some good home-made candy, fruit-cake and 
cookies. I hope I get them before long. Sunday we had 
service in the Y. tent. In the evening we had a short song 
service, also a big camp-fire and sang after the minister 
gave us a fine talk, which we all enjoyed. 

If any one should come collecting to buy for the soldiers, 
steer clear of everything but the Red Cross Society and 
the Y. M. C. A. They are the only ones doing anything 
for us. This is all for this time. 

Your loving son, 

E. S. RENFRO. 




Letters From Oregon Boys In France 59 

Received by Mrs. E. A. Benoit, 836 East 29th street, Port- 
land, Oregon. 

Somewhere in France. 
Dear Mother: 

Received your welcome letter and a big box of candy 
from the girls; also letters and papers from Winifred and 
Anna. Believe me, I was glad "Fritz" did not get them. 

I have missed going to church but one Sunday, the first 
in France, as I was on guard. 

The Y. M. C. A. is surely doing a great work here. 
They have music, reading, refreshments, and everything 
else a fellow would expect to find in his home. 

I will try and answer a few of your questions: First, 
about the weather, which I would say is somewhat on a par 
with Oregon. It is a bit chilly as a rule when it rains, but 
ordinary clothing will keep one warm. We have boots, 
rubber trousers and slickers. Last week we used them 
almost all the time but Sunday; yesterday and today have 
been sunshiny. We have had our overcoats for over a 
month and believe me, they are warm and fine. 

I know everything will be done right, as all the boys 
have faith in Capt. Hauser. Our mail has been coming 
fine. I am lucky enough to get something in every mail. 
Don't worry about us boys as we are in as good a situation 
as could be expected and we have got the "family spirit" 
in Company F. I think we are the most envied company 
of the regiment. 

Write as often as you can. Send anything you think 
I will enjoy but do not go to much expense or trouble. 
Give my best regards to all the friends and love to all you 
folks. 

Your loving son, 

PRIVATE JAMES T. BENOIT, 
Co. F, 18th Engineers, Railway. 

P. S. — Don't worry. 



60 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

Judge Robert 5. Bean, of the United States District Court, 
has received a letter from his son, Harold C. Bean, 
describing life in an advanced hospital dressing station 
just behind the front line trenches of the British army 
in France. 

My Dear Father and Mother and Folks: 

Here I am, down in a comfortable dugout, listening to 
the pound of the Bosche's shells overhead and the joyful 
sound of our big guns answering back, with many times the 
number he sends over. As you know, I did not crave this 
situation, but things fell so as to put me here according to 
orders, so I am making the best of it, and it is not so very 
bad, even when one thinks of being under fire, within a 
few hundred yards of the German line. 

We are stationed at what is called the advance dressing 
station, usually located within a few hundred yards of all 
the regimental posts, so the stretcher-bearers will not have 
so long a distance to carry the wounded; and also so they 
will reach us as soon as possible after they are injured. 

All stations are not alike, some in houses, basements 
or even tents, but this present one is in a large cellar that 
has been reinforced with steel and concrete. We can 
handle about 50 men at the same time, and quarters for as 
many or more men of our unit. Have an improvised ope- 
rating room where all dressings are put on and hemorrhages 
checked. No real operations are attempted this far in 
advance. 

After a case is dressed and made a little more comfort- 
able, he is placed in a waiting ambulance and driven back 
some six or seven miles to the casualty clearing station, 
where all operations are performed. The Bosche has ap- 
parently taken a dislike to wounded and hospitals as you 
have noticed in recent papers, so he gives us a reception 
each evening with what the British Tommy calls "iron 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 61 

rations," but I am glad to say usually without any injury 
as our shelter is well made and strong. 

There are three medical officers on duty here at a time, 
and then we are relieved, week in and week out. But the 
few days I have been up here we have been very busy, 
especially with gas cases. They are throwing over now 
a new gas, smelling like mustard, but very disabling if one 
does not use the mask at once. All dugouts, etc., are 
protected by large, heavy blankets saturated with chemicals 
so as to keep the heavy vapor out. 

Just day before yesterday he gave us a shower of gas 
shells. Apparently the cloud gas is not used much now, 
but instead he sends the gas in small shells that cause a 
peculiar sound as they pass through the air and this helps 
in warning us. They do not make much noise as they 
explode, but at once give off this peculiar smoke. Usually 
night time is the favorite chance, so the other evening he 
began to throw them at us; at once our sentry spotted the 
smell and warned everyone, yet in spite of this we all got 
enough to have sore eyes, slight cough, sore throat and 
groggy feeling, all day yesterday, but today am feeling fine. 

All day we had many poor, tired men seriously affected 
by this terrible stuff, and the sight is not easy to stand — 
brave, young fellows who fight to the last and hate to give 
in to the stuff, but are compelled to do so. I am glad to 
say that after several days the majority of them recover 
and can return to their regiments. 

Just the night we had our gas attack they shelled our 
ambulance standing in front here and destroyed the same, 
but fortunately no one was in it at the time. We all live, 
work, eat and sleep in this one place, so we are safe, and 
the sound of our own artillery at our backs and near us is 
wonderfully consoling, for "Fritz" is getting more than he is 
giving our side. 

But how eager every one is for this terrible struggle to 
be over. Some of the men have not been on leave for two 
years and others have been home and back again. I have 



62 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 



only been here a few weeks, yet I have had plenty and am 
eager to return to my own country. Wouldn't it be fine if 
it were all over by Christmas, as the men often talk of? 

As the Tommy says: "Cheer on," for everything is 
coming out all right and I am coming back to you safe and 
sound. Don't worry, and write when you can. 

Your loving son, 

HAL. 




Letters From Oregon Boys In France 63 

From ''Somewhere on the Other Side" comes the following 
letter to the family of Mrs. J. H. Urdahl from H. P. 
Urdahl, now serving with the Eighteenth Engineers, 
leaving Portland several weeks ago. 

Dear Folks: 

We have been traveling nearly a month and have not 
arrived at our destination yet. I don't know where we are 
going but I think we will be on our way in a day or two. 
Things are very much different here than they are in the 
States. We don't get any news from the front and I don't 
think that we know as much about what is happening there 
as you do, yourself. 

Most of the boys got to visit London, but I was on guard 
duty and didn't get to go. I think I will be off today to 
visit this town this afternoon. I met an English soldier 
who has been in the service for 16 years and had been all 
around the world. He took me around and showed me 
some of their big field guns which are surely wicked look- 
ing and very heavy. All the trains and streets in all the 
towns are full of soldiers and the people are all living war. 
They are very glad to see American boys and surely treat 
us fine. 

I have not received any mail since I left American 
Lake and I don't know when they will deliver any to us 
boys. The effects of this war can be seen on most of the 
people one meets. You can only have a certain amount 
to eat in any of the restaurants, and if you don't have 
enough to eat in one place you will have to go to another 
place and finish your meal. They serve us with war 
bread, which is very good. It is a little darker than our 
coarse bread at home. 

The construction work that has been done over here 
surely is great. They don't have any very high buildings 
and very little wood has been used here, mostly brick. The 
railroads and docks are wonderful. The coaches are noth- 



64 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 



ing like ours and freight equipment is not very heavy as 
about 10 tons is the most they will carry. I don't know 
how they move a piece of machinery weighing 50 or 100 
tons unless they take it apart. 

Say, when you people want to send me anything, send 
me some cigarettes, as I have not been able to find any- 
thing to smoke over here that I like. A friend of mine 
wired his wife when we landed here and she was going to 
call you up and let you know that we arrived safe. Let 
me know if you received this news. I also heard that there 
was report in the States that the Eighteenth Engineers were 
attacked and sunk by the U-boats, but we didn't even see 
one of them. The next time you hear from me it will 
come from France unless we stay here longer than I expect. 
You have my address so I won't write it again and will 
close with love and kisses to you all. 

HANS P. URDAHL. 




Letters From Oregon Boys In France 65 

Mrs. D. H. Lyman, 305 East 70th street, received from her 
son, J. D. Lyman, who is in active service with the 
American Expeditionary Forces, the following letter: 

On Active Service with American Expeditionary 
Force, "Somewhere," Oct. 23, 1917. 

Dear Mother: 

This is the first opportunity I have had to write you for 
about a week and have been very busy and have seen some 
very interesting things lately. I wish I could tell you about 
them but it is impossible. 

I am well and having everything I want to eat, etc. 
Life in France is getting to be better every day and the 
more you see the more you want to see everything. If the 
war lasts long enough I will be a sure enough Frenchman 
when I come back as I am learning it pretty fast — not to 
speak it so much as to understand it. Where I am now 
located I am more or less thrown in with the French people. 

There is nothing I want that you can send me as you 
said in your last letter. 

The weather has been fine here for the last week or so 
with one or two fogs, but today it rained the good old 
Oregon rain, but it has cleared up tonight and the moon 
shines fairly bright through the rifted clouds. 

I got a letter today from the Captain and he says every- 
thing is going on fine and all the boys are in good health 
and working hard. Not saying that I am not, for I am 
working pretty hard and am nearly "fatiqued" at night — 
(French for "tired"). 

You will notice from my new address that I am not 
stationed with the Company. 

There is an entertainment for the soldiers here tonight 
so will close as it is about to begin. 

Give my best regards to everybody. 

Love to all, 

DICK. 



66 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

Miss Roxanna Shroyer, Tudor Arms Apartments, received 
the following letter from her brother, James R. 
Shroyer, 13th Regiment Engineers, Railway. 

Somewhere in France. 

Since leaving Liverpool have been very much on the 
move. I will not be able to name places or go into much 
detail. You, no doubt read in the papers of the reception 
in London. The crowds went wild. The King and the 
Queen were there. I was not there at the time. We being 
the advance agents were there the morning before and 
fixed it up with George. Our detachment of 34 men then 
went to an English port and out to a large rest camp, a fine 
place and clean. Spent from 2:30 to 6:00 soaking in a 
bath ; stayed there two days till rest of regiment came along. 
We boarded a captured German boat for France; arrived at 
French port at dawn. The people all came running to the 
water front and cheered, but we were not allowed to 
answer. We worked all day until nine in the evening un- 
loading boats and loading train. We marched to the train, 
but could have no lights on account of danger of Zeps, 
which were at large looking for Americans, either in Eng- 
land or France; had a tiresome ride in these funny trains; 
were met at the station by a French band and crowds of 
people. We marched to the barracks amid much chatter 
and funny music. Saw a real air battle yesterday and two 
today and it was some sight to see five officers' machines 
going for each other. 

The places about here look as natural as could be 
expected and, though the Germans were here, there is no 
evidence, but about a couple hours' walk will take one to 
some old trenches and ruins. 

Had a big parade yesterday, also inspection and review 
by a high jinx French General, who had lost an arm and 
leg in the early part of the war. He had Spalding's Jewelry 
Shop skinned a mile for decorations. 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 67 

Sweets are very high here on account of tax. No white 
bread or cakes; am going to do some washing so will stop 
awhile. 

Have just returned from a sixty-five mile trip around 
the front and have seen some wonderful things, but will 
have to refrain from writing about them, as the censor 
forbids. The last letter I wrote September 18 I was in 
the French hospital, but now I am feeling fine; had a great 
time making my nurses understand; had to talk with my 
hands; suppose you read in the papers that our regiment 
was the first of Americans to put the Grand Old Flag on 
the front. We received quite a write-up in Paris edition 
of New York Herald and Chicago Tribune. Quite some 
honor for a bunch of rookies. Sunday three of us took a 
stroll about the famous Argonne forest and had a fine 
trip. We stopped at a funny house and the obliging French 
women cooked us a fine meal. Egg-omelette, French fried 
potatoes, bread, etc. We sure enjoyed it. Returning we 
proceeded to get ready for our nightly raid of the Germans. 
They sure have been after us v/ith their aeroplane bombs, 
and machine guns and they kick up some dust. Speaking 
of dust, when I came in tonight I was white from the dusty 
roads. We passed trench trains, wagon trains and soldiers 
in endless lines, all raising their quota of powdered stone. 
If you people could have looked in on us last night when 
the mail came in, you v/ould neglect some of the home 
duties and write often. The barracks resembled Christmas 
Eve. The floor was covered with package wrappings; 
everybody passing candy, cigarettes, etc. Reading papers, 
clippings and letters. One of the fellows came in with the 
mail and yelled, "Xmas has came." 

I have seen it rain in Oregon, Illinois and Montana, but 
never really knew what rain was until the past week. I 
saw lots of water coming over, but I have seen more water 
here than I thought was in the v/orld. It is pretty chilly 
here; tell the boys to bring at least two sweaters. One to 
sleep in and one to wear during the day. I do not know 



68 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 



what I would have done without mine. Tell them to bring 
plenty of socks, the heavy kind. 

Wish you would send me a package of None-such mince- 
meat and I will make a pie. I don't believe I could go in 
and sit down to a meal. I have become so accustomed to 
standing in line with a mess-kit and clamoring for "chow." 
Just now I think I would give "cive quante francs" for a 
good old hot bath in a tub. The French think we are all 
crazy because we bathe so much. Until it got too cold, we 
took our baths under the water hydrants. I would not give 
one inch of the Willamette slough for all of France. 

JAMES R. SHROYER, 
13th Regular Engineers. 




Letters From Oregon Boys In France 69 

The following is taken from letters recently received by 
Mr. and Mrs. James F. Morrell from their two sons 
with Co. F, 18th Engineers, Railway, ''Somewhere in 
France." 

Somewhere in France, 
November 18th, 1917. 

Dear Mother and Father: 

Last mail received yesterday brought in the Auxiliary 
packages and we had "some time" last night, stayed up till 
eleven-thirty o'clock, singing all the songs we knew and 
smoked; these boys are just like a bunch of children at a 
Christmas tree. 

The socks are sure fine and have put them away for 
cold weather. Army life is not so bad when you have a lot 
of boys like we have in this company with an auxiliary at 
home. 

Have been setting up a pump and gas engine and build- 
ing a shed for same, so it is the work of defeating the 
"Huns" is on its way. 

Here comes the paper boy with the Chicago Tribune 
and everyone is reading at once about the fun at the front. 

It would tickle you to see these Frenchmen when they 
take a smoke of real tobacco — there goes the whistle and 
Jim is on the other end of it, me for the mess hall, mor^ 
later. 

Supper is over and I feel much better; a package from 
brother, Art, came this evening, containing a pound of 
Prince Albert tobacco for both Jim and myself and so you 
see all the folks at home are thinking of us. 

Too weary tonight to write much so will close with love 
to both of you. 

"Judge." 
PRIVATE WILLIAM J. MORRELL. 



70 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

Somewhere in France, 
November 18th, 1917. 
Dear Folks: 

Well the effect of the love and appreciation which 
started in a big wave at the Portland Auxiliary of this com- 
pany has finally reached France in the shape of mail sacks 
and while the contents were heartily greeted by all, to me, 
it brought a big lump up in my throat, for never in my life 
have I ever witnessed so large an offering of love and 
know that same was prepared with no little thought and 
preparation. 

You can tell the members of the Auxiliary that it would 
have done their hearts good to sit where I did and see the 
expressions of happiness, coupled with surprise, on receiv- 
ing their shares, it was like Christmas, each boy, for that's 
all they are, shot eager glances at the pile and commented 
in his own way, all speaking words of praise for the effort 
put forth, so in speaking for myself I want to say that I 
cannot find words to thank each and every one; it is this 
spirit of co-operation and harmony that will win this war. 

I wish you folks at home could see these boys work. I 
have seen and handled lots of men at the same kind of 
work but have never beheld the same spirit and whole- 
hearted effort put forth as they do, each one seems very 
happy and contented. We are having some cool, clear 
weather and it goes fine, have second steam shovel well 
under way and am opening a pit for the first one; will 
start digging about Wednesday. 

Wish I could happen in on you at Christmas but will 
be with you in spirit and mayhap the next one will bring 
us all together. Co. F is going to have a semi-annual 
gathering Thanksgiving Day. We are going to have music, 
songs and several acts; will write you all about it later. 

Will close now and get this in the mail. Give my love 
to all; with love to you and Dad, 

''Jim." 
SERGEANT JAMES F. MORRELL. 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 71 

///// /. Vinson, 18th Engineers, Railway, Co. F, writes to his 
mother, Mrs. B. E. Vinson, 1024 Holgate street: 

In England, August 27, 1917. 

Dear Father, Mother and Sister: 

After a journey of 24 days since leaving American 
Lake, landed in this country. Our voyage was a pleasant 
one. We never saw a "Sub" or were troubled at all by 
them. 

Most of our Company went to London yesterday and 
gave the city the once over. The boys that I was with 
visited the Tower of London, London Bridge, the House 
of Lords — oh, well, I can't begin to tell you of the different 
things we saw. 

You should see the funny little railroad cars and engines 
they have in this country. When I come home, I am going 
to bring one with me as a souvenir. Believe me, they sure 
can go some. 

We don't know just when we shall be ordered to France. 
Did you receive the cablegram I sent you? 

Somewhere in France — It is a nice, bright day. Sun 
shining well up in the sky. Of course, we don't have sun- 
shine all of the time. For instance, the other evening, it 
rained very hard for a while and the boys began to undress 
and come out to get their favorite bath. One can get a 
very good bath with a bar of soap and a very little rain. 
Lord, how it can rain in this country. It has Oregon backed 
off the map. Well, it is very near time to eat again and I 
am sure going to be there. 

Tell my friends I send my best wishes and that I am 
glad that I am in active service. I am learning quite a 
little of this language and our band is progressing very well. 

We received a cablegram from Mr. Hauser, our Cap- 
tain's father, telling us of the Auxiliary in Portland for 
Companies E and F of the 18th Engineers. The boys 



72 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 



think it very nice of our folks to think of our needs. I 
have just finished getting myself cleaned up and have a 
few minutes before church at the Y. M. C. A. so will put 
in the time writing a letter. Yesterday we played our first 
funeral march (the band). We played for one of our 
comrades from Company F, who was killed a few days ago 
by accident. The military funeral of the U. S. Army is 
very touching and it means a great deal in reality. We 
are all getting along very well and no one is suffering for 
anything but American tobacco. A good many of the boys 
are at the Y. M. C. A. this morning writing letters and 
playing games. They also have a moving picture machine 
here and I have been elected to run some pictures for the 
night. The band has been quite in demand lately. Well, 
must close now as the Chaplain has arrived and is about to 
start services. 

With lots of love, 



Your son, 



ILIFF. 




Letters From Oregon Boys In France 73 

Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Legg, 1570 East 6th street, North, re- 
ceived the following letter from their son, Maynard 
W. Legg, who is with the American Expeditionary 
Forces ''Somewhere in France'' : 

Somewhere in France, 

November 10, 1917. 

My Dear Parents: 

I am well and in the best of spirits. It is a little cold 
here as the winter weather is beginning. I went walking 
last evening and saw partridges galore. How I wished for 
a shot-gun. I would have made them sit up and take 
notice. I have seen some very nice double-barrel guns 
and some bad ones. One I noticed in particular had the 
hammer on top of the barrel instead of at the end and the 
shell had a brass pin about 5 inches long and extended out 
of the side of the shell at the back. The primer is entirely 
inside the shell, the butt was plain. I am going to try and 
get one to bring home as a souvenir, not to use, as I do not 
care to die yet. I am taking lessons in French, the Profes- 
sor certainly knows his business. The people here go 
through the camp on Sundays for a walk. A bunch of 
French girls are bothering the typewriter now as I am try- 
ing to write this. You can say what you please, Oregon 
girls are best. They have the whole world beat. I got 
hold of a Sunday Oregonian and it surely looked good to 
me. Don't worry, I am satisfied where I am and I want 
to stay here as long as the Commander will have me. I 
am under Lieut. Roosevelt (Teddy's younger son) , a better 
man I never have met, always jolly, is kind and considerate, 
yet firm. There are twenty Oregon boys in this company. 
I was driving a Packard truck for a while, then I worked 
in the hangars on aeroplanes and am now in the supply 
house. I was made Chauffer the 7th of November. It is 



74 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 



a new rank. I do not know the pay but was very glad to 
be advanced. I am glad you liked the souvenirs from New 
York. I have all sorts of souvenirs to bring home. I had 
a half of pumpkin pie today. It was good but not like 
home. If you will look in Leslie's Weekly, October 6, you 
will see two pictures of us as aviators. It rains nearly 
every day and just pours and the mud is deep. We have 
hip boots and are glad to have them. They surely save 
on clothes. I received the tobacco and was glad to get 
it, as the French tobacco is fierce. I cannot smoke it. 
There was only one thing the matter with the tobacco you 
sent, father, it did not last long. I am sending a couple of 
packages to you for Xmas. This is a great country for 
dahlias. I have seen many beautiful ones in private gar- 
dens this fall, also saw some in England. I must say 
good night now, 

Your loving son, 

MAYNARD. 



H 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 75 

Corporal J. C. Collins, Co. F, 18th Engineers, Railway, 
writes to his mother, Jessie B. Collins, 636 East 20th 
street, from "Somewhere in France": 

Somewhere in France, 

November 1, 1917 

Dear Mother: 

We received a large shipment of mail day before yes- 
terday. I drew three of yours, delayed somewhere. I 
did not get the tobacco you sent but several of the boys 
did receive some and they divided so we are pretty well 
fixed for a while. It has been raining hard for the past 
few days, but we have been working just the same. 
"Uncle" has given us raincoats and boots and we keep 
fairly dry. I am gradually getting into my own work. The 
time passes rapidly and the Sundays come around quite 
often. I took a train and went up the line last Sunday 
about 20 miles to a little city of fifteen thousand. Ameri- 
cans are rather scarce there and to some I was a curiosity. 
I met a French Lieutenant and we had quite a long talk. 
If he could have spoken better English or I better French, 
it might not have been so long. He studied English in the 
French schools but with the aid of a dictionary we got 
along nicely. He took me to a cafe and we had coffee 
and cigars and talked about the v/ar, America, England and 
France. The French soldiers wear caps. They all seem 
to admire our uniforms. This officer admired mine so 
much that he wanted me to buy him a hat and a pair of 
shoes. I told him I could hardly do that, so he compro- 
mised by putting on my hat and overcoat and I took his 
picture. This town is like all other French towns, very old. 
I went to a church, built in the 13th century. The carvings 
are very beautiful. All the window frames and arches are 
of carved stone. Their churches are all large, with high 



76 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 



steeples. The steeple of this one is carved to the top. 
The boys spend their evenings in the house, playing cards, 
reading, writing, singing and talking about what they are 
going to get in the next mail. The Y. M. C. A. is still in a 
tent, but we have a stove in our hut and I am writing on 
my bunk, as the fire is low and the candle about burned 
out, I will have to close for tonight. 

Lovingly, 

J. c. 






Letters From Oregon Boys In France 77 

From Wade D. Lewis, Expeditionary Forces in France, son 
of County Treasurer, John M. Lewis, 604 East Ankeny 
street: 

Somewhere in France, 

October 18, 1917. 

Dear Mother: 

Today is a holiday for all U. S. soldiers in France. A 
holiday set aside for the sale of Liberty Bonds to the en- 
listed men. Not so much for the purpose of raising any 
large amount of money for the loan as simply to disprove 
the German idea that the Americans are not whole-hearted 
in this war and that has been done. The bonds were in 
denominations as small as $50.00 each and practically 
every man in the regiment took one or more bonds, except 
those who have already made large allotment to their folks 
at home. Some took three and four or more as in accord- 
ance with their pay. I took three $50.00 bonds. Of 
course, I got some of the first loan, but as one does not 
have need for all his pay for personal necessities here I 
consider it not only a good personal investment but an aid 
to both the U. S. and French governments. The payments 
are easy, five dollars per month per bond. It simply 
amounts to a saving for the individual. 

Just got back from town where I purchased a beef- 
steak, one-half dozen eggs, some butter and bread (du 
pain) and cooked some beef-steak and a couple of the 
eggs in my frying pan. Occasional rations like these are 
not uncommon with the boys. The French think we are 
terrible eaters and are astounded at the meals we order in 
their restaurants. One French maid asked me "If we 
Americans had come to eat up the French people." 

Virgil and I are still taking lessons from the same 
family. It is not difficult to read ordinary French and get 
by in conversations. One of the girls, who is quite well 



78 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 



educated, brings up arguments on philosophy, religion and 
discussions on Victor Hugo works, etc. Her father is a 
Protestant and her mother a Catholic. When the matter 
of religion is brought up, the old gentleman always leaves 
the room. This French girl has a quaint way of bringing 
in old sayings from famous writers. 

We are having much better weather now, somewhat 
cold but crisp and clear this afternoon. With the hope of 
more mail from home soon will again sign my lengthy 
address, 

PRIVATE WADE V. LEWIS. 



ra 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 79 

Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Gordon, 1507 East Uth street, North, 
received the following letter: 

Somewhere in France, 

November 10, 1917. 

Dear Brother and Sister: 

Your welcome letters received yesterday and was so 
happy to hear from you. We had a splendid voyage over 
here. The captain of the ship was the man who rescued 
the survivors of the Titanic. His name is Roston. 

I was on guard at the bow, when at about 2:00 A. M. 
we sighted something that looked like land. It was the 
friendly and Oh, so welcome! beam of a lighthouse flash- 
ing on our port bow. 

It is cold here, but so far it has not snowed. This 
winter will be a hard one for the boys in the trenches. 

One of the boys of the hospital unit went up to the 
front and wrote back that it snowed about an inch last 
week. 

It rains here nearly every day and when it rains it 
pours. It is great to lie in bed nights and hear the rain 
patter, patter through the trees. 

You should see these big army trucks plowing through 
the mud; sometimes they get stuck and we all get out and 
push them out. I have two Frenchmen driving trucks now 
and you should see them dodging the trees; they are ex- 
perts at the game. 

We are unable to write often and it takes nearly a 
month to receive a letter. I believe we will have better 
mail service in the future because Uncle Sam has estab- 
lished a regular postoffice system in France. The Post- 
master General and his assistants were here a few weeks 
ago and I was told they brought a number of mail clerks, 
etc., with them. 



80 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

My regiment has been very lucky. "We are now located 
some distance behind the firing line and I think we will 
remain here all winter. I hardly think we will get into 
anything serious at all before next spring. Some of the 
Railway Engineer Regiments have been into it already as 
you no doubt have learned from the casualty lists in the 
newspapers. Of course, we can never tell. I might be 
into it in another day, but I don't think so. 

Four of the boys have a candle on the table on which 
they are playing cards and I am trying to write by the light 
that come between two of them. Ha, ha! 

We are quartered in a nice warm building and they 
have furnished us with rubber pants, rubber coats, and 
rubber hats, so you see we don't suffer much from the 
weather. 

I am well and in the best of health. My muscles are 
like bands of iron. We are doing very nicely under the 
circumstances, considering the nature of our business. The 
boys have accepted the dangers and hardships of war in a 
cheerful spirit. 

You spoke of a newsy letter. I wish you were in my 
place and had to scratch your head to find something to 
say that the censor would pass. You haven't the least idea 
how rigid the U. S. censorship really is. I would like to 
write you a really newsy letter and tell you of many ex- 
periences. 

You just read some good magazine articles or some 
good descriptive newspaper column of the fighting over 
here and you will learn more than I can tell you. I have 
read articles in magazines that I wouldn't dare write. 

We are getting everything ready for the incoming 
troops. American troops are landing in France every day. 
General Pershing visited us two weeks ago today. I think 
I told you we were under his command. He is our ideal 
type of a fighting man. Stern, but kind. However, I 
think history will record that the Railway Engineers were 
the first of Pershing's men to get into action as a unit. 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 



81 



They were got under fire ahead of Pershing's first contin- 
gent. The Railway Engineers also had the first men killed 
in action. Ten days after we landed in France a Sergeant 
and a private were killed by shell fire. These men being 
the first men of the U. S. Army to die under fire. Of 
course there were some Americans killed previous to that 
time, but they were attached to the French Army. 

I am in one of the largest cities in France. Have 
visited one of the famous Chateaus, also one of the famous 
art galleries of France. As you know I am a lover of art 
and the moments spent in viewing those beautiful pieces of 
art were very happy ones. 

This is a beautiful country of many famous places. 
The women are wearing hats patterned after our service 
hats. I was glad to see the boys from home. Yes, I am 
acquainted with Sergeant Prasil. He attended school with 
me in Portland and was my tent mate while at American 
Lake. All the "boys" of my regiment are a cheerful and 
splendid lot of young men. 

Well, I must close for this time. Give all my friends 
my best wishes and write often, for a letter from home 
makes me feel so happy. Love to all and kiss the babies 
for "Uncle Jack." 

Lovingly, 

JACK. 

Sergeant J. W. Clay, Co. C, 18th Engineers, Railway. 




82 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

Mrs. C. F. Vilas, 56 East 74th street, North, received the 
following letter from her son, Private H. C. Vilas, Co. 
F, 18th Engineers, Railway: 

Somewhere in France, 

November 4, 1917. 
Dear Mother: 

Tonight is a big night. We have been receiving a lot 
of back mail. I had received a letter dated October 7. 
Tonight I received two dated before that, also one from 
"sis" and one from Roy Higgins. We have plenty of rain 
here. The climate is about the same as Oregon, so you 
see most of us are used to it. We have been working 
pretty steadily for the past month and from the looks of 
things we have a big job ahead of us. 

There is an old castle near here that dates back to the 
12th century. It has a big mote and towers and reports 
say famous battles have been fought here. I also saw the 
ruins of an old Roman amphitheatre that was built about 
the 2nd century. There wasn't much of it left. I am 
getting so I can speak a little French, enough to make 
myself understood. French people know how to take things 
easy. Do not seem to worry about anything. If you 
could see them around the cafes, you would not think they 
were in war. They are great wine-drinkers, also fine 
pastry makers, the finest we have ever tasted. They have 
fine farms; the wealthy have pretty country homes or 
chauteaus as they are called. The next nice Sunday we 
have, a couple of us boys are going to hire bicycles and 
take a long ride in the country. The roads are fine here, 
lined on either side with maple trees. The v/heel is the 
favorite mode of travel. As news is scarce this week, will 
close and do better next time. My love to all don't worry 
as everything is all right. 

HAL. 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 83 

To Mrs. G. I. Dirrim, 1804 East 10th street from G. I. 
Dirrim, 18th Regiment Engineers, Railway, Co. E: 

Somewhere in France, 
November 10, 1917. 

Dear Mabel and Jim : 

I received your letter this noon. Am feeling fine and 
have plenty to eat. Have plenty of clothes and we are as 
comfortable as possible and I don't think people need to 
worry about us freezing to death. Received the package 
you sent and we are looking for the box the Auxiliary sent. 
The letters and packages sure pleased the boys and I wish 
the people could see how much the boys appreciate those 
things. They have a prize fight on for tonight. One of 
the fellov/s in our company from Portland is boxing against 
a fellow in another company. I am getting along fairly 
well with the language and study hard whenever I have the 
chance. Everything looks rather bad and we may be here 
for a long time, though they may soon get lined up again. 
I went into a bakery to get a loaf of bread today, it looks 
like a four-foot stick of cord-wood, is fully three feet long 
and costs one and a half france (30 cents in our money). 
Most of the women wear wooden shoes and carry baskets 
and pails on their heads. We have a Belgian boy with us 
in camp. He has had m.ost of his back torn off with a 
bomb in an air raid, though he is well now, I don't see how 
he ever lived. Winter is fast coming on and gets very 
cold at times. It is raining very hard and the mud is deep. 
Don't believe too many wild stories they are telling of us 
and don't worry until you know they are true. With re- 
gards to all will close for this time and will write in a 
few days. 

Yours as ever, 

GLENN. 



84 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

Somewhere in France, 

November 1, 1917. 
Dear Bernice: 

I was indeed a little surprised and very pleasantly sur- 
prised, too, to receive your letter. Nev/s from friends are 
very welcome and appreciated by us boys so many miles 
from home. 

I wish I could tell you where I have been, what I have 
seen and what I am doing, but as you probably know the 
censorship is very strict and we are not allowed to tell 
very much. We had a splendid trip across the continent. 
At every town we passed, we were wildly cheered and 
several times a day we detrained for exercise. The long 
ocean voyage was also very pleasant, although, sorry to say, 
there was no excitem.ent, except in a few cases when 
strange ships were sighted. We were all very glad when 
we saw the long-looked-for sight of land once again. The 
bleak western coast of England looked pretty good to us 
then. 

Our stay in England was confined to intermittent trav- 
elings, long marches and over-night stops at rest-camps. 
The trip across the channel was extremely rough, but our 
trip through France to where we are now was very interest- 
ing. I have been here two months and am having a won- 
derful time. We are not allowed to tell what we are doing, 
but suffice it to say that we are working. The climate so 
far has been very mild with frequent rains. It is too bad 
you could not come over with the Red Cross. A number 
of nurses landed here a couple of weeks ago. I am sta- 
tioned along the shore of a river, several miles from a 
large port, and many large boats pass here every day. Oc- 
casionally a boat from the U. S. flying the Stars and Stripes 
comes steaming past and how we on shore cheer and yell 
as she passes us! It is a thrilling Old Glory waving aloft 
in the air, especially to us, marooned on a foreign soil. 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 



85 



The people here are extremely courteous and hospit- 
able. The chief drawback is our inability to speak French. 
I am studying very zealously though and am making a 
little progress. I have not received the magazines yet, but 
am patiently awaiting them. Thank you very much for 
your thoughtfulness in sending them. 

Will be glad to hear from you again. Best regards to 
all, from your far-off-friend, 

CAROL. 

Private Caroll Ten Eyck, Co. F, 18th Engineers, Railway. 




86 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

Mrs. E. Shelly, 135 Killingsworth avenue, received the fol- 
lowing from her son. Private A. W. Skelly, Co. F, 
18th Regiment Engineers, Railway: 

Somewhere in France. 



Dear Mother and All the Folks: 

Received letters from you last Saturday. Would love 
to tell you all about our trip and what we are doing but 
cannot, however, I will be able to tell you all when I get 
home. You know I never will forget any part of it. We 
are in a place where there is lots of fruit, a fine climate 
and have fine treatment from the people. We have a 
French teacher here enlisted in our company, who is always 
willing to help the boys out. We are not compelled to 
learn French. The good old U. S. is plenty good enough 
and large enough for me to travel and live in. I never will 
have any desire to leave there again. We have an Ameri- 
can daily. It is never over a day late, while there is not 
much of a story about things going on in the States, there 
is generally a few lines. Suppose by this time, you have 
received the allotment I am sending home. Have also 
invested in a Liberty Bond. About the soldiers' insurance, 
we have not yet had full details, but if it is what rumor 
has it I shall invest heavy. As for taking out Liberty 
Bonds, Company F has a good record. Well, there is a 
football game that I want to take in. You know Company 
F holds a record on football also, so I will close for this 
time, 

Love to you and all, yours, 

ARCHIE. 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 87 

Mrs. M. Anderson, 686 Minnesota avenue, received the 
following from her son, Wayne J. Anderson, Co. F, 
18th Engineers, Railway: 



In France. 



Dear Mother: 



I received a letter again from you and you cannot 
imagine how glad I am to get your letters from home. It's 
like a holiday when mail comes in. I got the socks you 
made and sent me. I cannot tell you how pleased I was 
to get them. Yesterday I got all kinds of mail and re- 
ceived a mysterious package from some Portland club- 
woman. It had in it a whole lot of small articles, such as 
soap, cigarettes and handkerchiefs and other small articles. 
We all thank the Oregon people for their kindness. They 
are certainly doing their best for their country. If they 
could really know how glad it makes us boys to get things 
like that. 

We have been having rainy weather here. It certainly 
rains here when it rains and the mud is muddier than any 
Oregon mud. You folks at home do not need to worry 
over my health. You would be surprised to see how I 
have picked up in weight since I left America. No wonder 
at all, the way my appetite coaxes me here, as long as 
you folks at the end feed us, then we here will do the rest. 
The folks here are very kind and I will have a lot to tell 
you, but the country for me is the U. S. A. This letter is 
like the war, don't know when to end, but I hope it's very 
close. Best regards to all. Au revoir and health to you, 
your son, 

WAYNE J. ANDERSON. 



88 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

Private Jack D. Wiggen, Co. F, 18th Engineers, Railway, 
writes to his mother, Mrs. W. H. Wiggen, 431 Williams 
avenue: 

Somewhere in France, 

September, 1917. 

Dear Folks: 

I received your letter and am sorry to hear that you 
have not received any of my letters. I have answered all 
I received. It takes some time for the mail to go. I in- 
tended to send a cable as it takes so long to write. I sup- 
pose the papers have a short sketch telling of our safe 
arrival. I am doing fine. The climate is good; sunshine 
most every day. We are right in the fruit section. There 
are acres and acres of grapes, apples, figs, peaches and 
pears. Wine is the main drink for the French. You can 
see them carrying bottles to work and when you see a 
native at lunch he always has a bottle of wine. Money 
goes mighty fast. One can break a five-spot and it is 
gone before you realize it. The only thing I miss is my 
tobacco. Hope you will send me some. I have some 
appetite, can eat all the time. They feed us very good, 
always plenty. I have seen some queer things. The 
bread, for instance, is about one yard long and six inches 
thick, just fits under the arm nicely. It costs about as 
much as two loaves at home. The first time one goes 
shopping, they have an awful time to find what they want. 
I never believed I would be a foreigner, but know I am one 
now and can sympathize with those that arrive in our 
country. It looks comical to see an American going down 
the street v/ith one of the fair dames, trying to make her 
understand. We Americans have a book translating their 
language. I have one and when I go to a restaurant and 
can't make them understand I just haul out my little book 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 89 

and point to the sentences, giving my order. They make 
fine coffee here. One does not see many wooden build- 
ings. I am paying strict attention to the kind of derricks 
and bridges they have here. It is wonderful to see the 
stone arches and how perfect they are and the way they 
are put together. I have seen docks that would make 
Portland some city. The locomotives are no where near 
as large as at home but they all look good to me. They 
have many things that are copied after ours, but as usual 
everything is so different. 

I have seen wonderful cathedrals. We don't see very 
much candy or cake, pastry is high and that is made of 
rice flour. It is almost like candy. A cup of coffee and 
a small cake about the size of a dollar costs me 50 cents. 
For one dollar we can get a fair meal. This morning I 
received a registered letter from you. I couldn't imagine 
what was inside. I opened it and out rolled an American 
bill. I let all the boys have a good look at it. I believe 
it is the only one in my squad. They had to turn it over 
and over to see if it was real or counterfeit. I wish to 
thank you for your kindness but don't feel a bit older. I 
am going to keep the bill as I have my pocket full of the 
money they use here. Have to take it out and count it 
every little while to see if I have lost any. It won't be 
long until Uncle will give us more. The Captain informed 
us that we will not have to stamp our mail as soldiers' 
letters go free to the U. S. so you do not have to send me 
stamps. I wanted to buy a pair of rubbers but find that 
my feet have grown so that I couldn't get a fit. The army 
shoes are much wider than they are here. Give my re- 
gards to all inquiring friends and tell them to write, as 
letters are always welcome. Will close with love to all, 

PRIVATE JACK D. WIGGEN. 



90 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

Mrs. M. E. Sturdevant, 493 East 13th street, received from 
her son, Robert B. Sturdevant, with Radio Dept., U. 
S. S. Pueblo; also her son's friend, 0. K. Bullard, on 
U. S. S. Cruiser Sioux, the following letters: 

LETTER NO. 1 

U. S. S. Pueblo, March, 1917. 

Dear Mother: 

We got under way about six o'clock Wednesday even- 
ing. We took on about seven hundred tons of coal and 
then left right away. It was foggy in the harbor and out- 
side the Gate. We very nearly run a small freighter down. 
The boat whistled to pass on our port side and then on our 
starboard side and then it cut across our bow, we had to 
go full speed astern in order to keep from running it 
down. It was kind of exciting for a few moments. We 
would have cut the boat in two. 

It was foggy until about two o'clock that night. We 
are now in the Santa Barbara channel. It has been a fine 
trip. The sea is calm and there is just enough breeze to 
carry the smoke away. When the wind is off shore we 
can smell trees and plants. It sure smells good. The 
mountains are not as pretty as they are in Oregon and 
Washington, but they look fine any way. 

We will arrive in San Diego about seven o'clock this 
morning. We will then take on about four hundred tons 
of coal and some stores and leave for Mexico or near 
the Canal. 

April, 1917. 

I am about half way up the Gulf of California at a little 
place called San Rosilin. It is a small mining town. We 
were not allowed any liberty, of course. We came up here 
from La Paz, a small town near the end of Lower Cali- 
fornia. 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 91 

We went swimming at La Paz. It was great. The 
water was cold, but not too cold. After we came out some 
of the fellows saw a shark. 

This Mexican coast is sure a barren place. All you 
can see is cactus and sand hills. There are some very 
pretty mountains down here, they are rugged looking, but 
have no trees on them. The sky-line is pretty, especially 
in the evening when the sun is setting. 

It is warm down here. We wear whites during the 
day, but change to blues at night. We scrub a suit of 
whites every evening. I am getting to be a regular shark 
at washing clothes. 

I saw a mirage this morning. It was the first one 1 
had ever seen. It was a long distance away. I think it 
was a small rock that kept changing shape. It looked like 
a big gun and then a house and a big tank and a number 
of different shapes. 

This gulf gets pretty rough sometimes. This old ship 
rolls like everything, but I have felt fine as far as sea- 
sickness goes. 

We are going to Guaymas tomorrow, and then down 
south again. 

May, 1917. 

V/e have been in Mexican waters for the past month. 
I like it down south pretty well. It gets rather warm 
during the day, but we always go swimming about four 
o'clock, so it isn't so bad. 

The air down here is very clear. We were not far 
enough south to see the Southern Cross. Some days a 
person can see across the Gulf at Guaymas, which is about 
eighty-five miles. Some of the fellows said that one can 
see the mountains across the Gulf at La Paz, that is about 
one hundred and thirty-five miles. Every day we can see 
mirages. They are very queer, I think. I didn't have 
any shore liberty, so I can't tell much about the town. We 



92 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

could buy oranges and post cards from peddlers that came 
alongside. 

We started from Guaymas at noon Saturday, arriving 
at La Paz Sunday morning. 

We started for the States that same afternoon. We 
got as far as Cerros Island, where the Brutus, a collier, 
went on the beach. 

We received four hundred men from the Frederick, 
making our company one thousand and eleven. This ship 
is certainly crowded. The men that came on are recruits 
and a few naval militia. 

We arrived in San Diego this afternoon, at five o'clock. 
We are going to coal ship tomorrow, taking on one thou- 
sand tons. We are then going to leave for Balboa and 
through the Canal to the east coast. They need this type 
of ship over there. 

We started through the Canal the 26th of May. It 
took us about seven hours to go through. We coaled ship 
at Colon. We took on about twenty-one hundred tons. 
Colon doesn't seem to be much of a place. The prices are 
very high. 

We left Tuesday for Bahia, Brazil. The trip so far 
is fine. We are about three hundred miles south of the 
equator. I was initiated into the Royal Order of Nep- 
tunus Rex. I suppose you know that for years it has been 
a custom to initiate all land-lubbers when they cross the 
line. I can assure you I sure did get initiated. I will get 
a ticket, that shows that I have been across the line. I 
am a regular sea-going sailor now. 

I haven't any idea where we are going when we leave 
Bahia. We might go around the Horn. I hope that we 
will get back to the good old U. S. A. soon. These Spanish 
cities don't compare with American cities. 

We are issued a half a bucket of fresh water in the 
morning to take a bath in, and then another half bucket 
some time in the afternoon. There are over a thousand 
men on board and you can imagine how crowded we are. 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 93 

Bahia seems to be a pretty city from a distance, but 
from what I have heard the streets are worse than in 
Panama. 

The money is called reis, pronounced rays. A car ride 
costs nine hundred reis or about ten cents in our money, 
a meal three thousand reis or about seventy-five cents. 

The people are very queer. They are willing to sell 
their children for a few cents. 

There are twelve Americans in the whole city and 
about fifty thousand Germans. There are two Austrian 
ships interned in the harbor. 

We left Tuesday for patrol duty. It is rough. We are 
steaming at sixteen knots for Rio Janeiro. I think we 
will stay in Rio Janeiro for a few days or a least until the 
can catch up with us and give us some sup- 
plies. We are out of canned milk and candy and all sorts 
of supplies. We are going to get a case of canned milk 
so we fellows in the radio room can have it with our Java 
at night. We have a little electric toaster now so we can 
have our hot Java and toast on our night watches. It is 
almost worth one's life to try to get Java at night. The 
decks are dark and when we go to the galley to get 
coffee we stumble over ammunition hatches and every- 
thing else. 

When we were on our way from Colon to Bahia we 
passed a ship at night that turned out to be a German 
raider. We didn't fire. 

June, 1917. 

We arrived in Rio Janeiro Friday at 3:00 P. M. It is 
a very pretty city from the harbor. As you come in there 
is the Sugar Loaf on one side and a fort on the other side. 
The Sugar Loaf is 1295 feet high. It looks very much 
like a loaf of sugar. There is an aerial tramway to the top. 
It is some trip. It costs four thousand reis or about $1.10 
a round trip. It is v/orth it. One gets a fine view of Rio 



94 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

from the Sugar Loaf. There are a number of forts around 
here. They all saluted us when we came in. The Bra- 
zilian ship escorted us in. It must have been a pretty 
sight from the Sugar Loaf to see us all steam in the harbor. 

We were granted liberty Saturday. I went ashore and 
had a fine time. Every one speaks French and Portuguese. 
The people are very polite and they treat us fine. Some 
of the people speak English. It sounds great to hear some 
one speak English. 

We get an automobile and have a good ride. One can 
see so much more than by walking. It costs ten mil-reis 
an hour or $2.75. 

The food is very good. They serve coffee in very 
small cups. It is, of course, served black. One may have 
cognac with their coffee if they wish. 

The streets here are wide and are kept clean. The 
main street, or Avenida Central, is a fine street. It is 
something like a Paris street. The people move very 
slowly. The stores don't open until noon. 

The houses are all built of granite, and have large 
court yards. The people seem to like flowers as every 
house has a large flower garden. The houses are all 
fenced in with high iron fences. 

I met a fellow who told me a great deal about the 
people and the country. He said that these people are 
helpless. They don't seem to know how to get all there 
is out of the country. They don't know how to spend 
money in order to really get the most good out of it. They 
think of luxuries before necessities. They don't under- 
stand we Americans. They think we are queer, too. 

There are more pretty girls here than any city I have 
ever been in. 

The little boys smoke cigarettes. No wonder they are 
thin and nervous after they are men. 

I would prefer living in the U. S. A. to any country 
I have been in. 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 95 

Since the fleet came in all the boys down here are 
learning English. They are learning very quickly. When 
ever a gob stops to talk with some one on the street a 
whole crowd of men and boys gather around to hear us 
talk. 

July, 1917. 

I went ashore v/ith one of the fellows today. He and 
I took a car ride. We tried to go to the Botanical Gardens, 
but we passed it without knowing. At the end of the line 
we walked around awhile. The country around Rio is 
certainly very beautiful. The roads are fine. When we 
got back to the main avenue we had a bite to eat. Some 
black coffee and cake. The coffee here is coffee, now 
believe me. It is certainly made strong. They put half 
milk and half coffee if you want it; and then it is strong, 
but I am growing fond of it that way. 

After we ate our lunch we went out to one of the 
numerous parks and listened to the band. 

I am going to give this letter to a fellow who is going 
back to the States on the first boat that leaves. I hope 
you will receive it within a month or two. 

With lots of love, 

BOB. 



LETTER NO. 2 

We left Panama, May 17th and steamed sixteen days 
to Bahia, Brazil. Other than being very hot until we 
reached the equator, June 10th, more beautiful weather and 
calmer seas were never seen. Upon crossing the "Zero 
Line" a grand celebration was held in honor of Neptunus 
Rex, king of the seas, who that day came aboard our good 
ships and initiated into the mysteries of his realm all 
those land-lubbers, officers and men, who never before 



96 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

had crossed the equator. I will not take time here to 
describe the party in detail but it will suffice to say that 
the King and his court were most wonderfully garbed with 
costumes that only a "gob" could originate. Hula dances, 
etc., were held on the quarter deck in the morning and the 
rest of the day was given over to the initiation. Speaking 
of rough initiations, well we had it. We are now the 
proud possessors of a large Neptunus Rex certificate which 
advises all the sharks, polly-wogs, sea-serpents, etc., that 
we have been duly initiated and that should we fall over- 
board all courtesies should be accorded us by the dwellers 
of the sea — we can now consider ourselves, "sea-going" 
sailors. 

On the morning of June 14th we arrived at Bahia, 
which presented a most beautiful sight to our sea-tired 
eyes — the green freshness of its tropical vegetation, the 
tall palms and cocoanut trees extending high above the 
buildings, and the deep blue of the water in the bay below 
dotted with numerous white sails. I can well imagine the 
amazement of the native upon seeing four of Uncle Sam's 
battle cruisers steam into their bay and up past the cheese- 
box fort where they came to anchor and fired the national 
salute of twenty-one guns, which was immediately an- 
swered by the fort. Many small bum-boats came along- 
side, baskets were lowered and we bought oranges, bananas, 
parrots, monkeys, in fact everything the natives had to 
offer. Although we were at this port for five days, liberty 
was given only once. We were very much disappointed 
v/ith the city. The buildings were old and dilapidated, the 
streets narrow and filthy. The people were black and 
badly in need of much bathing. We located one small 
cafe, where, after much "sign language," we made the 
waiter understand that we desired to eat. I do not remem- 
ber what we ordered but he brought us steak and eggs. 

We took turns fighting off the flies. Later in the day 
we hired an automobile and took in the entire place. We 
found only one really beautiful portion of the city out 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 97 

along the ocean by the light-house — all the consuls live 
there. We visited one of the cathedrals. Its interior was 
most magnificent — we heard that the natives were kept 
poor supporting these churches. All hands were well 
pleased when on June 19th we left for Rio de Janeiro 
arriving there the 22nd. Soon after leaving Bahia the 
weather became steadily cooler — on the afternoon of our 
arrival at Rio the uniform was changed to blue. We were 
escorted into the harbor by a Brazilian dreadnaught and 
two torpedo boats. We again fired many salutes. An 
aeroplane circled over our ships and the aviators waved 
their welcome to us. Many racing shells put out from 
the various aquatic clubs, and their crews gave us the 
"once over." 

Rio is reputed to be the most beautiful harbor in the 
world — it certainly is. We knew that we would never be 
able to describe it as it really is, so we have all purchased 
many post cards of this delightful spot. The people of 
Rio managed to give the sailors a most friendly reception 
in spite of the fact that there is but little English spoken 
there — Portuguese being their language. In all the southern 
ports which we visited, the people regarded us as curiosi- 
ties. If we stopped a few moments on the street we were 
immediately surrounded by a large crowd, which stared 
and stared at us. As in Bahia, the cafes served us steak 
and eggs. We were able to buy ice cream here, though 
it was not much like that to which we were accustomed. 
We took many auto rides about the place. We also went 
upon the famous Sugar Loaf mountain, from which a 
wonderful view of the city may be had. 

We had the good fortune to meet a young American 
who was in the employ of a North American rubber com- 
pany. His explanation of the various customs and condi- 
tions of the people was very interesting. It seems that 
there are only two classes of people throughout Brazil — 
the very rich — those with government positions; and the 
very poor — there is no middle class. Instead of shaking 



98 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

hands as we do, we noted that all the men embraced each 
other. On July 4th there was a large parade — U. S., Bra- 
zilian, French and English sailors taking part. July 6th 
our squadron left Rio for Montevideo, Uruguay, where 
they arrived Monday, the 9th. By this time all hands 
had broken out in their jerseys and watch-caps for it was 
very cold. 

Our reception at Montevideo was certainly some recep- 
tion, as you have already read in the newspapers. The 
docks were one solid mass of people, all shouting and 
waving hats, handkerchiefs, etc. The Pueblo and South 
Dakota had the good fortune to be tied alongside a dock 
during our stay in this port. Every day, all day long, the 
crowds paraded these docks, viewing the wonderful North 
American battle wagons. The sailor boys were taken right 
into the homes of these people, and every effort was made 
to show their hospitality. We were treated so kindly that 
there is not a sailor in the fleet who would not rather 
be in Montevideo than any other port. We were given 
liberty every other day. Spanish is spoken here. The 
people are well dressed, good looking and the weather is 
cold enough to bring the "roses" into the cheeks of the 
pretty senoritas. Many entertainments were given us 
during our stay. 

July 23rd we left for Buenos Aires, a hundred miles 
or so up the Plata River. These South American cities are 
very jealous of each other, and each one tried to outdo the 
other in its reception of the North American squadron. We 
were escorted into Buenos Aires by several Argentine bat- 
tleships and a whole fleet of torpedo destroyers, as well as 
hundreds of privately owned yatchs and motor boats, all 
of which were gaily decorated with flags. A large steamer, 
crowded with Americans and English people, passed close 
alongside — it sure seemed great to hear greetings in our 
own tongue. Well, our week's stay at Buenos Aires seems 
almost like a dream now. Every day, from 8:00 A. M. 
till 2 A. M., we were given liberty. Every minute of our 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 99 

time was taken — theatre parties, dinner parties, dances, 
special car rides, football games, and trips to various points 
of interest were given us. The people of Buenos Aires did 
not want us to spend a cent — we had free access to every- 
thing, street cars, subv/ays, theatres, etc. You can well 
imagine that we had one grand time in spite of the fact 
that the weather was cold and it rained most of the time 
during our visit there. 

We left Buenos Aires August 1st. Everyone hoped a 
stop would be made at Montevideo, but no such luck — we 
went back to Rio de Janeiro, arriving there August 6th. 
August 11th we left and patrolled until the 25th. Septem- 
ber 14th we again left Rio and went to Bahia, arriving 
there September 17th. This time we stayed at Bahia until 
October 7th. Because of the hot weather and the filthy 
condition of the city we moved upstream and liberty was 
given on a small island. We had swimming parties every 
day — the water was great. Several minstrel shows and 
smokers were given aboard to relieve the monotony. We 
also had moving pictures every night on the quarter deck. 
We all thought we would be at Bahia for about three 
months, so most every one of us, officers included, had his 
head shaved, just to have something to do — you can imagine 
our regret for this act v/hen on the 7th of October we sailed 
for Rio, where we stayed till October 14th and again 
arrived at Montevideo October 18th — believe me, all hands 
were certainly pleased, in spite of the fact that their hair 
was a la convict. The Pueblo and South Dakota again 
had the good fortune to tie up to the dock, and v/e renewed 
former acquaintances among the Montevideans. The 
Americanos certainly have won a spot in the hearts of 
these people. 

Very truly yours, 

ORLEM K. BULLARD, 

U. S. S. Sioux. 



100 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

Mr. Ira P. Reynolds, with J. L. Hartman, Chamber of Com- 
merce, received the following letter from Stanley 
Boquist, Co. A, 10th Engineers, American Expedition- 
ary Forces: 

Somewhere in France, November 5, 1917. 
Dear Friend Ira: 

Have been intending to write you for some time but 
accommodations for writing are not very good, also we 

have just gotten located in . Have seen 

quite a little of France so far and everything has been very 
interesting but for all that I wish that I was back in the 
good old U. S. Believe me there's no place like it. The 
food here is really better than I had expected, though the 
sending of it is rather inconvenient. We are living in tents 
with eight to a tent. We are quite a long way from any 
large cities but are five or six miles from a number of small 
towns. They are old and the people are very old-fashioned. 
All the peasants v/ear wooden shoes and their clothes look 
a great deal like those worn by the colonials. About every 
other house or hut is a tavern. From the number of 
French boys we see drinking and smoking cigarettes, be^ 
lieve that as soon as they are v/eaned, they are put on wine 
and cigarettes. 

Would like to drop in the office and see all the old 
familiar faces again. I certainly will be glad when I get 
back to my old job again and come and go at my leisure 
as I used to do. 

The climiate in this part of France in which we are 
at present located is just like Portland. The customs, 
homes and farms around here are just about 100 years 
behind the U. S. 

Had a nice trip over the Atlantic. Wish I could tell you 
about our travels, but we are not permitted to tell where 
we are, what we have seen or where we have been. One 
of the fellows remarked on board ship when we were four 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 



101 



or five days out from landing port, "V/e are out of the 
danger zone." Another answered, "Is that so?" and the 
reply was, "Yes, we are in the death zone now." 

Tell the folks in the office that reading is scarce over 
here and that I wish some of them would write. I can't 
write very often because we are not allowed to write as 
many letters as we would like on account of the time it 
takes the officers to censor them. Give my regards to 
everyone in the office. Hoping yourself and family are 
enjoying the best of health, I remain. 

Sincerely yours, 

STANLEY BOQUIST. 




102 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

Mr. and Mrs. D. L. Bates, of Milwaiikie, Ore., received 
from their son the following interesting letter: 

December 3, 1917. 

Dear Mother and Father: 

To begin with the South American cruise, we left 
the Bremerton Navy Yard, Puget Sound, Washington, April 
the 12th and arrived at Frisco two days later, where v/e 
put in a few repairs at Mare Island Navy Yard and took 
on 101 new regular recruits from the training station. 

April the 30th we left San Francisco and arrived at San 
Diego May the 2nd. The purpose here was for the mobil- 
ization of the South American Squadron. The other ves- 
sels were of our type, but will not reveal the names of 
the ships for military secrecy reasons. 

At San Jose, Guatemala, the landing force was at all 
times standing by to go ashore and quell a German uprising. 
We have been trained to use small arms as well as heavy 
guns you know but we did not know anything about field 
battle. I don't know how well the Germans are organized 
but from what I hear they had a pretty good force there. 
However, nothing ever came of it, so after four days we 
proceeded to Panama, arriving at Balboa, C. Z., the 20th 
day of May. 

We spent five days in dry dock and in the meantime the 
men were allowed shore liberty. We took a small pay-as- 
you-enter car to Panama City, fare 10c. 

The money of the Republic of Panama has just one-half 
the valuation of our money. U. S. money is known as 
gold money and Panaman money is known as silver money. 
These terms apply also to the race, the white people, gold, 
and the colored people, the silver. This way of distinguish- 
ing classes and money first originated when the building of 
the canal was in its early stages; the white people of the 
United States desired their pay in U. S. coinage, while the 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 103 

colored people of the West Indies wanted their pay in their 
money. 

The main thoroughfare of Panama City is Central 
Avenue, which is the narrowest street I've ever seen. When 
a vehicle came along we had to get inside of a building or 
off the street to let it pass. There are a great many old 
ruins, one in particular I remember, a fort shelled by 
Morgan, the English buccaneer in the 17th century. Some 
of the modern buildings are the Panama Railroad Depot, 
the Government Palace and the Hotel Ancon. 

The healthful conditions here are, however, very good, 
due to the influence of the U. S. 

Balboa is the true American city there. The mos- 
quitoes have been eradicated and the air is very refresh- 
ing. One of the features of Balboa is that the business 
and the buying and selling of supplies is controlled by the 
Government Commissary of the U. S. 

The trip through the Canal was an interesting one, 
needless to say. The first sights we saw was the ruins of 
the old French attempt to build a canal. We went through 
three sets of locks, the first was the Miraflores, which con- 
sisted of two locks as did Pedro Miguel. After passing 
through Gatun Lake we descended to Limon Bay through 
the Gatun Locks (three locks). Gatun Lake is an arti- 
ficial lake, the water being furnished by the Chagres 
River. Colon was then reached in about forty miuntes. 

Colon, like Panama City, is dirty. The streets of Colon 
are straight and it is more of a seaport than Panama City. 
Each city has about 5000 white people and 30,000 of the 
black race. 

We left Colon on May 29th for Brazil. The only thing 
of any consequence that happened on the way was the 
crossing of the equator on June 10th. All of those men 
who had previously crossed it, which were about 20 men 
out of the total ship's company of 900 men, got together 
and organized a Neptune party to put the rest of us through 
the awful (?) tortures of the sea in order that we should 



104 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

become trusty shellbacks and followers of Neptune Rex, 
King of the Deep. At any rate, no one was seriously hurt, 
but we had a hard time cleaning vaseline out of our hair 
and other such things. This initiation was just about the 
same as a fraternity initiation, only not quite so bad. So 
everybody who crossed the equator regards it as an event 
of a lifetime. Each man gets a diploma for it, showing 
we are no longer landlubbers but trusty shellbacks. 

After a run of 15 days we arrived in the harbor of 
Bahia, Brazil, also known as San Salvador. This city 
looks good from the harbor — but is the dirtiest place I 
ever did see. To get up in the main part of the city we 
had to take either an elevator or an incline railway. 

The Brazilian coinage is known as reis and milreis. It 
takes 1000 reis to make a milreis and 3 milreis, 500 reis 
(3$500, the way it is written) is worth $1.00 of our money. 

The language spoken in Brazil is Portuguese, whereas 
the rest of the Latin-American countries speak mostly the 
pure Castillian Spanish, the best Spanish. 

Outside of the fact that Bahia was the former capital 
of Brazil, no interest there. The people are mostly black 
and the buildings are not substantially built. After a stay 
of six days in this hole, we left for Rio de Janeiro, the 
capital of Brazil. Rio has a population of 1,000,000 people 
and is the second city in size of South America and 15th 
in the world. It is beautifully situated on The Guanabara, 
also known as the Bay of Rio. The bay is 18 miles long 
and 12 miles wide and is studded by many small islands 
and enclosed by projections, peaks and pinnacles. 

The main avenue is the Avenidas Rio Branco, which is 
exactly V/i miles long. It was formerly known as the 
Avenidas Central. In 1904, 590 buildings were demolished 
to widen the street and form the present Avenidas Rio 
Branco. Like the streets of Paris, they are fashionable. 
The cafe proprietors put their tables out on the edge of the 
wide sidewalks for their patrons. 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 105 

The buildings are anything but uniform. Some of the 
most important are the Jornal do Commercio (Journal of 
Commerce), Jornal do Brasil (Journal of Brazil). Some 
others are: O Paiz (National Library), Naval, Military and 
Central Clubs, Jockey Club, Monroe Palace (named in 
honor of James Monroe) , Municipal Theatre, where Caruso 
and others play, and the Hotel Avenida. 

The Avenida Biera Mar begins at the south end of Rio 
Branco. It is four miles long and runs along the bay. 
Along it are wide walks and well-kept gardens. The streets 
are all illuminated by electricity. 

In the harbor at the same time v/ere the French cruiser, 

, His Majesty's ships, , 

and (British), also a large part of the Bra- 
zilian dreadnoughts and destroyers. 

On July 4, the men from all of these ships paraded 
through the streets of Rio. This was the largest parade of 
its kind ever seen here. In the line of march in their 
order were the American Sailors and Marines, the Bra- 
zilian Sailors and Marines, followed by the French and 
British. The march was about eight miles and by the 
time we were all back, it was a pretty tired bunch of men. 
Two days later we pulled up anchor and sailed for Monte- 
video, Uraguay. 

Montevideo gave us the warmest welcome we received 
on our cruise. At this place we tied up at one of the big 
concrete docks. As we pulled in thousands of people 
stood there, waving hats and handkerchiefs. The money 
valuation is 4 cents higher on the dollar than ours — that 
is, we had to give them $1.04 for one Uraguayan Peso. 
It is the one foreign place where money is worth more 
than ours. Their smaller coinage is known as centisemos. 
Money is coined 1 centisemos, 2 centisemos, 10 centisemos, 
20 centisemos, 50 centisemos and 1 peso (100 centisemos). 

Montevideo has about 370,000 people. It is not as 
beautiful a city as Rio de Janeiro, but the people are far 
better off intellectually and financially. 



106 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

There are a great number of parks and suburban 
districts of interest in Montevideo. Some of the buildings 
of interest are the Solis Theatre, National University, 
which consists of colleges of law, medicine, pharmacy, 
agriculture and engineering; another building of interest 
is the railroad station. The types of locomotives and roll- 
ing stock are the same as the European type. 

Uraguayans are fond of athletics, soccer football is 
their national sport along with horse racing. During our 
stay, the fleet played three games. We played two games 
with other two ships, both ended in to games. Four 
Portland men were on the team: Harry Brubaken and 
Tom Gorman, ex-W. H. S. men, Clarence C. Wright, ex- 
L. H. S. man and myself. The Uraguayans evidently 
thought it was a circus, every time a man would fall on the 
ball or tackle another man they would laugh. Two other 
teams played and it ended 61 to 6 in favor of the U. S. S. 



After a stay of thirteen days, the four ships steamed, 
ploughed and wallered up the Rio de la Platta River, going 
to Buenos Aires. The river was really too shallow for a 
ship of our tonnage so we slid over the bottom. At night 
we anchored and waited till the next morning before pro- 
ceeding to Buenos Aires. We arrived in Buenos Aires 
about 6 P. M. the following day. 

Our welcome there was mostly by the British, American 
and Italian people. The British has a large population in 
Buenos Aires. 

Their money has not quite one-half the valuation of 
ours. Their peso is worth about 40 cents American money. 
Other pieces of coinage are five centavos and twenty 
centavos. 

The electric railways of Buenos Aires are controlled 
by British interests and the result was that we were given 
free transportation to any place. The most popular ride 
was the subway, which ran under the Avenida de Mayo 
(Avenue of May). 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 



107 



Buenos Aires is by far the best city in South America. 
It has 1,320,000 people (1910 census) and is the finest 
city in size in South America or 11th in size of the 
world's cities. It is the New York of South America. 
Due to the large British population we were shown a won- 
derful time. Theatre parties and street-car rides were 
arranged daily for us by these hospitable people. After 
a seven-day stay we left Buenos Aires to take up another 
duty which I cannot tell here. 

Lovingly your son, 

(Signed) REESE, 
U. S. S. Dakota, New York. 
National Naval Volunteer. 




108 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

Lieut. Gorben L. Goodell, of 924 Bryce Avenue, in the 
Field Artillery Training School in France, writes: 

That an old-fashioned dinner of turkey and pumpkin 
pie was served at the University Club in Paris on Thanks- 
giving Day. All those American officers who could go 
into Paris for that day were present. General Pershing, 
General Joffre, and General Viviani attended the cele- 
bration and during the repast each one gave very stirring 
talks to the men. 

The University Club, or American Union, was opened 
in Paris during October, under the direction of Van Ren- 
salleer Lansingh, of New York. He is a graduate of 
Boston "Tech." and was sent to France in the beginning 
of war by the alumni of Boston "Tech." to establish a 
club for the graduates of that university. Mr. Lansingh 
found such a big field for that work that his commission 
was changed to the larger one of forming in Paris a Uni- 
versity Club for all universities. The first club was opened 
on 8 Rue de Richelieu and met with such tremendous suc- 
cess that new quarters have had to be added throughout the 
city to accommodate the membership. Mr. Lansingh's 
work was first supposed to be finished by December, 1917, 
but his employers have persuaded him to remain in France 
until summer. The club is a boon to the American officers 
so far away from home, for there they find American cus- 
toms and make friends, for, of course, every furlough is 
spent in Paris. Those who are stationed in training camps 
near Paris have this comforting place to look forward to 
every week-end after the endless grind of the daily work. 






Letters From Oregon Boys In France 109 

Mr. T. J. Conway, 805 Minnesota avenue, received the fol- 
lowing letter from his cousin, Lieut. B. J. Gallagher, 
M. O. R. C, U. S. Army: 



November 27, 1917, 9 P. M. 



Dear Frank: 



Have sent a few cards and written home once or twice 
since coming to France a few days ago and no doubt you 
have seen some of the correspondence by this time. Of 
course I cannot tell you just where I am but think I can 
describe a few things of interest without in any way vio- 
lating censorship restrictions. To attempt to describe the 
condition of the country which has been devastated by 
actual warfare is almost a hopeless task of course, for 
one must see to believe and my experience so far has 
been quite limited. But I have had a look and the de- 
struction is certainly complete. I am v/ith a Field Ambu- 
lance Company attached to a British Division, and we have 
our headquarters in what was apparently a beautiful French 
city of several thousand people. It was never actually 
in German possession but their line at one time came 
within a couple of miles of the town and consequently 
within shelling distance. Practically every building in 
town, including the very large cathedral, and bishop's 
palace, is in ruins more complete than one can imagine. 
Nothing left, in many cases but fragments of walls and the 
town completely deserted, of course by civilians. How 
many women and children were killed by those collapsing 
walls in the early days of the bombardment no one on 
earth knows. 

As I write tonight, and in fact, during every waking 
hour, I can hear the boom of the big guns a few miles 
av/ay. Yesterday I made a trip to the trenches to see 
what it was like and from the dug-out of a Brigadier Gen- 
eral looked out across No-Man's Land to the Boche trenches 



110 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

a few hundred yards away. It was a beautiful sunny day 
and overhead a couple of British aeroplanes were scouting 
around over the German lines and the German anti-air- 
craft guns were peppering away at them but always missing. 

We passed through trenches and dug-outs which had 
formerly been occupied by the Huns but which are now 
in the possession and use of the British. No use to try to 
describe things of that kind because I couldn't anyway and 
some day hope to be able to tell you more than one can 
write. 

Don't get the impression that I am in a very dangerous 
position because, according to the law of averages, that 
can hardly be said to be the case and comparatively speak- 
ing I am in a very safe position. 

Have never gotten the cigars you were sending but 
probably will later if you have sent them. 

A good many of the boys who were on the boat over 
from the States with me and then scattered throughout 
the military hospitals in England were together again on 
the trip across the Channel. It seemed as if a fellow knew 
some of those boys all his life, though we all met for the 
first time in Washington in August. 

I have about everything I need and can easily procure 
anything necessary in the way of clothing, etc., from the 
army supply depot here, so the folks at home need not 
worry that I am suffering for want of anything. Just 
the opposite is the case — I have more junk than I can 
carry around or find place for. In fact, things are quite 
comfortable and I'm sure a lot of people at home are not 
as comfortably located as I am — though we have no grand 
pianos or steam heat. 

Send mail in care of Col. Lyster at London as before. 
It will be the quickest and safest way in the long run. 

Am learning a great deal about army life, camp sanita- 
tion, etc., and in general enjoying myself very much. If I 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 



111 



only knew that the folks at home wouldn't worry and always 
imagine that something was happening to me, I would be 
quite happy. 

It will probably be nearly Christmas when you get this 
letter so I'll wish you all a Merry Christmas and hope that 
we may spend the next one together in the good old U. S. A. 



Lovingly, 



BEN. 




112 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

Mr. Charles B. Pye, Chamber of Commerce, received the 
following most interesting letters from his friend, 
Charles R. Parrott: 

LETTER NO. 1 

France, November 20, 1917. 



Dear Friend Pye: 

The last time I wrote you, I was in the "pink" of 
condition and I believe it was the night, or two nights 
before we went into the hardest fight of my experience. 
It fell to our lot to take the crest and a portion of the 
other side of the Passchandaele Ridge. Well! we took it 
and hold it still but, of course, that goes without saying! 
Of all the campaigning experiences I have had, that one 
will be forever uppermost in my memory. I'll try and 
relate to you the affair from the start, until the time I got 
my "knock out". We waded into the front line, about 
seven miles, through mud and mire, blood and water, some- 
times going up to the neck and at other times hanging on 
in strings to our rifles to help pull one another along. The 
load! We each had two hundred rounds of ammunition, 
two smoke bombs, six rifle grenades, ten bombs, two water 
bottles, two ground signals, two other heavy signals, a 
shovel, our ration for forty-eight hours and a lot of miscel- 
laneous things that go to make a modern soldier a perfect 
walking armory. Of course, it rained (as is the only 
weather we have in Belgium). Fritz shelled us unmerci- 
fully all the way in and our casualties were somewhat 
heavy! However, we got in and believe me, if ever men 
held out for thirty-six hours, under one of the heaviest 
bombardments in the history of the war, it was us — for he 
simply turned onto us what he calls "annihilating" fire. 
We were buried and buried again and again. It seemed 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 113 

he had all the world's artillery set at us. Our trench was 
smashed to atoms; and alas! many of our boys, too. We 
simply lay in the earth with our faces buried in the ground, 
waiting for that thirty-six hours to pass over. Each minute 
we expected the end. The signal came at 6:05 A. M. and 
believe me the whole line jumped up and away we went. 
Even though it had meant death, I was never so glad 
to "jump the boys" in any attack before. We stumbled 
forward, we rolled and crawled and what I remember, the 
boys were singing and howling. I guess it was a relief 
to get away from that waiting for it. The bombers, the 
section under my charge, I never saw. Soon after the start 
I suddenly seemed to go sky high, my rifle smashed and 
all my equipment blown off me. I pulled myself together 
and kept dangling forward till I reached our objective, 
when I was told that I was wounded. It was rather amus- 
ing, for I hadn't got a thing to defend or fight with, except 
the shovel. 

Two of the boys dressed my thigh and before I got too 
weak or too stiff, I commenced the longest and most 
agonizing crawl of my life. I had to keep moving, or sink 
and I crawled clear to Ypres and then remembered no more 
until I was in a hospital wagon. Our wounded were get- 
ting sniped cruelly by the Boche and at times one almost 
despaired of getting out at all ! However, when one fully 
realizes that determination is the only salvation, it's simply 
surprising where the strength comes from. Of course, you 
can't understand the situation up there until you can realize 
that the greatest military feat has been accomplished 
through, what seems impassable mud. Try to understand 
that if a man is very badly wounded, he is worse off than 
dead, for his chances of ever getting out are so very 
remote. It's a regular "quick-sand mud" and one's disap- 
pearance to the underground is rapid. There is one re- 
deeming feature about the mud up there, it stops the flight 
of lots of shrapnel from his "heavies". I can't understand 
yet, the readiness of the Boche to lose such positions. His 



114 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

men (with very few exceptions) will not face us. They 
have positions that, if held to, are absolutely impossible to 
take. His "pill boxes" are absolutely safe from any shell 
(the only things I've seen to withstand our heavies). It's 
no use, Heinie will not put up a fight against us, he's liter- 
ally scared and with very few exceptions his hands go up 
before we get at 'em. Now, I'm not saying they're all like 
that, but the very, very great majority. There was some 
good bayonet work with our boys that morning. It was the 
only thing to use, as our rifles were like sticks of mud and 
slime. 

Well, I can't write much more now for my wound is 
troublesome, although not serious. It tore a piece out of 
my thigh, but my flesh is apparently clean and healthy and 
I think it will soon heal. The rest, I can assure you, I'll 
appreciate, for I'm in a large hospital and above all, I'm 
between sheets and I'm clean! It's the first time my 
clothes have been off for fifteen months (except, of course, 
for a change) . 

I guess the Italian fiasco has upset you. It has me — 
for it's both discouraging for us and only prolongs the 
end of this Hellishness. To me, there seems no end in 
sight, for with every reverse, I believe the attitude of the 
Allies will be more determined and, of course, on the other 
hand, the confidence of the Entente more optimistic. 

Write me soon and address my mail as before as it 
will be forwarded to me. 

Best wishes to yourself and please remember me to 
all friends. Tell Miss Anderson those handkerchiefs just 
match the white sheets. 

(Signed) CHARLES R. PARROTT. 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 115 

LETTER NO. 2 

1st Southern General Hospital Ward C-3, 

Stourbridge, Worcester, England, Dec. 9, 1917. 

Dear Friend Pye: 

I know only too well that you will appreciate another 
letter from me. That's really the whole joy of writing, it 
seems to me, when one's letters are looked forward to. It's 
giving someone else pleasure I suppose- that really causes 
the incentive to write. Well, I've been in the above hos- 
pital for two weeks now and I had three weeks in a hos- 
pital at Le Treport, France. The hospital in France was a 
huge hotel in pre-war days, a most luxurious place, right on 
the cliffs. One could look through the windows and see 
for miles across the channel, but always with his mind on 
England, or for me, dear old Portland! Well, the time 
came to be moved to England and then began the most 
inspiring and touching memories of my war experiences. 
The wounded forget their pain, the limbless forget their 
loss, the blind forget their terrible affliction and the gassed 
forget their inevitable doom and from those great strong 
faces one sees the tears run as the boat reaches England. 
I tried to study it out, man, as I limped about the deck 
with my two sticks and the only conclusion I could come 
to was, that we were going home, going back to the land 
for which the lads had fought. The realization of actually 
returning with life. One hears it said so very often in 
life, "There's no place like home!" — maybe it's said too 
casually, but it's the first and only time I've ever seen the 
actual joy, the joy that moves a soldier to tears. There 
wasn't a smile, there wasn't a cheer from the men — but 
the joy was demonstrated with tears of gratitude — thanks 
for the life that was spared them and v/ho knows, possibly 
the realization that they had fought their fight for their 



116 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

dear old country and "done their bit," Strange and most 
realistic thoughts pass through one's mind. One sees it in 
France, one actually sees it in Germany. One sees it now 
practically the world over — and soon, old friend, you good 
people will be brought to face it, too. 

As soon as the ship was docked, we were most deli- 
cately and carefully handled and with a system that runs 
so smooth, that one actually thinks he's in heaven, we 
are placed in the huge hospital trains. Such comfort is 
almost bewildering, after France. Good, delicate meals 
are served around and then as the trains pass through the 
country, one sees gratitude. 'Twas there that my tears 
were shed. As the train rushes along, the people cheer 
and cheer. One wonders, is it possible for this spirit to 
remain so stanch and so fervent after almost four years 
of war. Four years of sacrifice unknown before. 

We reached Stourbridge about midnight and it seemed 
the whole country-side was out to cheer us. On the sta- 
tion were (ever to the fore) the backbone of this war, the 
Red Cross women. They work like Trojans, giving and 
thinking of nothing else but the comfort of the men. 
Then waiting outside are all the private automobiles of the 
country and after hot coffee, and fruit, etc., on the station 
we were carefully (always very carefully) driven to the 
hospital. The system of the whole thing is a revelation 
to me. Every branch of the Red Cross, it seems, is dis- 
ciplined to a wonderful state of efficiency. As one passes 
his time away in a hospital, the picture comes to his mind 
of what women are to war. You know a soldier is in the 
line so long that he thinks he's the "only thing". He gets 
rough, uncouth, and more like a savage. He forgets 
there's others so far, maybe, behind. Of course, it's most 
natural, I suppose. When up there, man, women are not 
of your life. There's nothing gentle, there's nothing but 
the savage and the ravage of war. But these v/omen — the 
way they work, the sacrifice they make! Surely, surely, 
if a man loses his life in the line, these good women give 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 117 

theirs equally as courageously and devotedly for us. It 
matters not whether they are ladies of title, or princesses, 
they start at the bottom to learn their profession of nurs- 
ing. They scrub floors, they make beds, they do the most 
menial kind of work. It's their life work now, it seems, for 
after three and a half years of war, it remains no novelty. 
Their hours are long and the discipline strict. Their ordi- 
nary pleasure now is in their work and it shows itself in 
the way they so cheerfully and so very tenderly do their 
work. For myself, there will always be two parts in war 
and both parts are equally essential and both call for equal 
sacrifice. I'm afraid the Red Cross will come first, always; 
and now, believe me, if you before never thought the 
work of Florence Nightingale, Utopian and glorious, you 
may think so now. 

Well, I guess my enthusiasm and my gratitude for the 
Red Cross has carried me far enough. It will be never 
forgotten if I am spared to come through, old man— and if 
I die over there, well, yes, the women of Britain alone are 
worth the sacrifice, leave alone the principle. We get 
some splendid concerts in the hospital. The best operatic 
stars travel around. Their work is great. I've never lis- 
tened to finer music than in the hospital. I've paid big 
money for v/orse. Then the various societies and schools 
give excellent concerts and there's hardly a night goes by 
without something good for the "boys". Yes, these people 
are good, they're the very essence of goodness. 

The hospitals are full, terribly full, all over the British 
Isles. This is a huge place and it used to be a poor-house 
before the war. We have quite a lot of American doctors 
here and the doctor that attends me comes from California, 
the University at Berkeley. He and I got to be fast friends, 
as for a long time I was at Berkeley. I am the only 
Canadian in this ward. The man alongside of me is an 
Australian. He told me some wonderful stories of the 
work of the Germans in Australia. The preparations the 
Germans made in Australia to fight against the Empire 



118 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

were simply alarming. The amount of field artillery they 
had smuggled into the country as 'pianos" and the various 
other stores and plots that were "nipped in the bud". The 
way the Germans had got into the House of Representa- 
tives and the way they had so very cunningly done their 
work through I. W. W.ism, was a revelation to me. It 
will come out, after the war — and then look out for truths! 
Apparently the world does not yet know what agonizing 
times Australia and New Zealand had at the beginning of 
the war. They intended to make war there deliberately 
and it appears they had sufficient people there to do it. 
The lad has many facts and if his word is doubted, he can 
immediately turn to something that happened in Parliament 
to prove what he says. Possibly you have read of some 
of their work there. I have not. Well, they lost out, 
anyway, just as the dogs will lose out in the main. They 
are powerful yet, terribly powerful, and will take a lot of 
beating. Everyone realizes the enormity of the task, but 
by God, the people seem determined to bring them down, 
for they seem to realize the great issues at stake. I can 
tell you, there's very little joy in Britain right now. Every- 
one is rationed and food is scarce. There's an awful 
scarcity of sugar and, well, even in the hospital, they seem 
to put it on the outside of the tea-cups. These are the 
things, with many, many worse, that the people have got 
to endure in order to win. I only hope their stolidness and 
their stanchness holds out. I think it will. We need 
the American Army, a huge Army, and we do need the 
Air Service. Remember we fight at a disadvantage, we 
have to advance over beaten ground, every inch of which 
the Hun has registered perfectly. It's an uphill fight at 
a tremendous cost. His spy system behind our lines is 
still v/onderful. It has grown with the people, generated 
and fostered for years, but we'll get him yet! 

Well, I must close, old friend. I'm going along O. K. 
My wound is healing magnificently and my nerves are 
steadying daily. Please address your letter, Care Army 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 



119 



P. O. London, England, and I'll get them more direct. 
Don't send any more papers until I get back to France. 
My very best wishes to yourself and kind regards to all 
friends. 

Yours most sincerely, 

(Signed) CHARLES R. PARROTT. 

P. S. I guess I've lost a lot of mail, particularly papers, 
and I would like a copy of that letter, or letters you had 
published.— C. R. P. 






120 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

Mrs. A. L. Metcalfe, 170 W. Killingsworth avenue, received 
from her son, Corporal A. F. Metcalfe, the following 
message: 

France, Nov. 30, 1917. 

My Dear Mother: 

I received your very dear letter and was so glad to 
hear from you. Am glad to know that you are all well 
and hope you will keep so all the time. Received a letter 
from Aunt Georgia; it was very nice of her to write me. 
I had also written her a four-page letter, and know she 
will be surprised when she gets it. You said you were 
still looking for a second letter; you surely must have re- 
ceived it by this time. I write quite often of late, so it 
will not be so long between letters. You did not tell me 
anything about your trip East. I ran across a very nice 
fellow here in France who used to live near the Turney 
farm at Gettysburg. His name is Steward. When you 
write to Aunt Annie ask her if she knows his people. 
I meet him here about every four weeks. We had our big 
United States dinner on Thanksgiving Day, and it sure 
was some feed. We had everything you could think of, 
even to the drinks. The Frenchmen laugh at us when we 
drink water, which is very bad, and believe me, a glass of 
Bull Run is worth more than all the wine in France. 

Charlie Jones sent me a big box of candy for Christ- 
mas which was very nice of him. He is sure some sport 
anyway, no matter how you take him. When you are in 
town I wish you would go in and see him for me and 
thank him at the same time. I will write him a letter 
soon. I wish you or the girls would make some fruit 
cake for me. It would be the only kind you could send. 
You know you used to tell me when I was a kid, the older 
fruit cake was the better it v/as, so you might start one 
now and it would age some before it reached me. Tell 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 121 

Dad I am anxious to see his hand writing once more, and 
ask those brothers and sisters of mine if they are having 
an attack of cramps in their wrists, the reason I don't 
hear from them. 

Tell Jim that Victor Moore is in my squad and sends 
his regards to him as he sits beside me writing now. 
Tell Jim to drop him a line, too. 

Well, Mother, this isn't much of a letter, but I will 
write you a long letter Sunday telling you of my whole 
trip from the time I left until now. That will give you 
enough reading matter for a few days. 

Wishing you and all a Merry Christmas and Happy 
New Year, with love and kisses to you and all, 

Yours, 

ALLAN. 



Q 



122 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

Mrs. A. E. Porter, 869 Regent Drive, received the follow- 
ing letter from her son, Private Victor L. Porter: 

In France, Dec. 5, 1917. 

Mother Dear: 

The goods arrived safely and I was surely happy to 
receive them. Well, I guess they will come in handy! I 
like the helmet, socks and wristlets best of all. The first 
time, as far as I can remember, of your ever having knit 
anything. I'm getting along first rate and the weather 
is good. 

Received a wonderful letter from Mrs. Fred Baker; 
she also sent me a fine book entitled, "The Sword of 
Youth"; am reading it and like it fine. Her letter was 
written upon paper used during the Boer war, the heading 
of which contained the picture of her brother, "Lord 
Roberts," or, as he was otherwise known, "Dear old Bob." 
I surely appreciated it, for I never dreamed of hearing 
from her. Also received a nice letter from Glower, and 
am answering both letters this evening. 

Our Thanksgiving dinner was a huge success — a regu- 
lar old banquet, which lasted three hours. It was a fine 
meal with everything one could desire from turkey down. 

I know. Mother, I should have written you sooner, but 
when the day is over, after supper, we usually talk awhile, 
then off to bed, for another day approaches quickly and 
one needs plenty of rest when they are working hard. 
Have not written Ad for a week, so you see, if I do not 
watch out letters to me will soon become scarce, but I 
will try hard to hold up my end of the correspondence. 

Well, Mother, I will stop now and write the rest of 
the family a line. 

Love to all, trusting all keep well, 

Your son, 

VICTOR. 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 123 

Dear Brother Arthur: 

Your dear letter at hand, also mother's. Time you 
were becoming active in the art of writing. 

I am getting along fine. We are camped by a river 
where many large boats go up and down. The real large 
ones, the kind you see in Astoria. 

So you have your wheel fixed right up to the minute. 
No doubt it comes in handy going to and from school. 

How is Pat getting along? Is he still as ferocious as 
ever? 

The morning of the 3rd it was quite frosty, so I tried 
out mother's helmet. It is the clear rig, alright. The 
SOX I will keep for awhile before using, as the ones I have 
now are plenty warm. The snappy weather never lasts 
over three days. The air is fine to be out in. 

I was surely surprised to hear that Allan Blair was 
in the game; will keep my eyes open for him. It would 
be fine to have a talk with him. 

Would be glad to hear from mother's sister. If pos- 
sible, will write her, but my evenings seem to go on the 
run. Mother need not worry about me. In regard to 
sending a box, I am happy with anything and not very 
particular, though you might send me two Prophylactic 
tooth brushes. 

It's fine Dad is sporting out in my neckties. Some 
one will, no doubt, give him a fine sendoff. 

Now, family, do not worry; I am getting along alright; 
my health is the very best, and I'm doing everything I 
can to keep it that way. 

It is getting late, and I am usually in dreamland at 
9 or 9:30 at the latest. 

Now all write often and take good care of mother, 

Love to all, 

Brother, 

VICTOR. 



124 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

The following letter was received at the home of Mr. and 
Mrs. A. Feldenheimer, at 702 Main Street from their 
son Roy Feldenheimer who enlisted with the Medical 
Unit. 

Liverpool, Mersey Hospital, 

Myrtle Street. 
My Dear Ones: 

Would have written to you some five or six days ago, 
but the bandage on my eye prevented me — too much 
strain, and the nurses too busy to take my dictation. The 
first week of our trip on the transport was quite monot- 
onous. We proceeded via Halifax where we picked up 
half dozen other boats. Weather fair, quarters third 
class — six to a bunk and that on a Cunard Liner. Typical 
English rations. Unfortunately through my accident will 
probably lose my unit. Have heard some remarkable, 
almost unbelievable stories, while in the hospital, from 
the boys who returned from the front to be treated for 
injuries. This is supposed to be as fine a place as there 
is in England. A private hospital with a swell ward for 
only twenty soldiers, and I am the first American soldier 
to receive treatment here. The specialist is surely on the 
job — a fine man, about fifty years. I saw a piece of 
shrapnel weighing four ounces which he removed from a 
fellow's eye and which the X-ray did not reveal. Now 
that I am about to leave am just beginning to understand 
the English language as it is spoken over here and the 
nurses in turn to understand my Yankee talk. 

From the looks of things England is really having to 
conserve food supplies and the war is far from over, and 
I wager the United States will be compelled to have 
millions and millions of men in the field before long 
and it is not going to be easy sailing either. There is no 
question but that aeroplanes will play an important part, 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 



125 



and added to American ingenuity will help win the war. 
I wish I could relate some of the stories I have heard, 
but as each bears its own flavor with either a broad 
Scotch, Canadian, or Cockney accent, they would be lost 
in the writing. 

Judging by the way the theatres and cafes are patron- 
ized, to capacity, one would never dream that we are 
waging the greatest war in history. 

When across the channel hope to have more items 
of interest. 

God bless you all. 

As ever, devotedly, 

ROY. 




126 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 

The Inclosed ''Masterpiece" was written by a Portland boy 
to his mother, describing his trip across the pond. 

Aboard the "Kroonland," November 18, 1917. 

In days of old a feller 

Could take an ocean trip, 
And for the pirates of the deep, 

He'd never give a rip. 

But nowadays, by Golly! 

Things are not the same. 
For the bloody German submarine 

Infests the bounding main. 

Old Noah had his troubles, 

Upon the good ship "Ark," 
With monkeys, lions, elephants, 

But not the "Iron Shark." 

V/e daresn't take a smoke on deck, 

Or have a bit of fun. 
For fear a light might be perceived 

By some nasty prowling "Hun." 

At night we rest in life belts. 

Of sleep there's little hope. 
And our days are spent in watching 

For the illusive periscope. 

There's watch upon the boat deck, 

And gun crews fore and aft. 
And talk of wintry evenings. 

Upon a blooming raft. 



Letters From Oregon Boys In France 



127 



And // the darn sea monsters, 
Should miscalculate our route, 

There's always mJnes and time bombs, 
And other things that shoot. 

And when you least expect it, 

There is no speck upon the sea; 

We're hurled a thousand miles or so, 
With a ton of T. N. T. 

So now my gentle mother, 

You've gathered from my tone, 

There ain't much fun in cruising 
In the German danger zone. 

— H. W. B. 



li 



128 Letters From Oregon Boys In France 



The following poem was recently composed by Dr. 
Henry Van Dyke and read at a meeting of Princeton 
students : 



'THE Y. M. C. A. HUTS" 



In the camps around our country and in countries far away 
There*s a lot of wooden houses that are marked Y. M. C. A. 
And some are painted yellow and some are brown or green; 
Now say, who owns these houses and what do the letters mean? 



They mean a bit of comfort and they mean a place to rest 
Where every tired soldier boy is welcome as a guest. 
They mean a bit o' friendly talk, some music, and some jokes, 
And some quiet little corners for writing to your folks. 

They mean a bit of human love amid the storm of war. 
They mean the word of healing for spirits wounded sore. 
They mean a simple message from God's own holy word. 
And they mean the thought of the home-land where the sweet 
old hymns are heard. 

You ask who owns these houses? I think you know His name. 
You call Him Saviour, Master, Lord, the meaning's just the 

same. 
'Tis the One who gave Himself for us, the Leader of our life. 
We pray He'll lead and keep our boys, in peril and in strife. 

O keep them strong and steady, and keep them clean and true! 
Help them to battle for the right and put the victory through! 
Be Thou their shield and buckler; but if one is struck down, 
O, Captain of Salvation, give him the heavenly crown! 

—HENRY VAN DYKE. 



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021 545 921 4 




God save our splendid men; 
Send them safe home again— 

God save our men. 
Make them victorious, 
Faithful and chivalrous; 
They are so dear to us — 

God save our men. 



